Ancient Neanderthal Weapon Dated over 70,000 Years Old; Discovered, It's Crafted from a Leg Bone of a Bison.
Bone Spear Shows Neanderthals Were Savvy Stone Age Craftsmen
Brace yourself for an awesome revelation, folks! Archaeologists in sunny ol' Russia have got their hands on Europe's oldest bone spear, aged roughly 70,000 to 80,000 years old! But that's not the mind-blowing bit - this badboy was made by our ancient pals, the Neanderthals!
Yeah, you heard it right! For years, scientists reckoned we modern humans, the Homo sapiens, were the only ones who could spin up complex bone tools. This spear, though, proves Neanderthals were more than just our knuckle-dragging cousins LOL! It's a game-changer, folks!
See, this bone spear doesn't just shake up our understanding of Neanderthals—it's the epicenter of the first-ever evidence of these crafty critters using bones to fabricate hunting weapons. The scholars who published the study's findings commented, "LOCAL COORDINATES, et al. demonstrate Neanderthals independently invented bone-tipped hunting weapons in Europe prior to the arrival of Upper Paleolithic modern humans."
A Tech-Savvy Investigation
The saga of the bone spear began back in 2003 when a team of archaeologists was excavating the damp and chill Mezmaiskaya Cave nestled in the Caucasus Mountain range, a place famous for its Neanderthal relics and old tools.
On their dig through layers of ash and bones, they stumbled upon a really cool object – a bone roughly 3.5 inches long and half an inch wide. It was hanging out with other hunting essentials like animal bones, fire pits, and stone tools.
At the time, the importance of this object wasn't entirely clear. But, 20 years later with better tech and attention to bone tools, a team of researchers took a second look at the sharp bone artifact.
Using microscopes, spectroscopes, and CT scans, they analyzed the bone and found some seriously impressive results. It turned out the piece of bone was fashioned to perfection using stone tools and exhibited microscopic marks from impact, hinting at a history of being hurled and jabbed into large critters.
Spear's Ancestry and Purpose
By dating the soil layers and employing carbon dating techniques, the researchers discovered that the spear point is between 70,000 and 80,000 years old, making it much older than modern humans who arrived in Europe. Additionally, the tests revealed that the spear point was crafted from a bison's leg bone.
Curious researchers also noticed the presence of a sticky substance, possibly natural glue like bitumen, on the spear's surface. This hinted that the sharp bone tip was fastened to a wooden handle, transforming it into a two-part weapon like our buddies Homo sapiens used!
The study authors observed that the bone spear was well-used. There were tiny cracks and chips at the tip-indicative of striking an animal-and the surface was smooth in places, likely due to regular handling.
Furthermore, the spear point was discovered near bones from deer, goats, and bison, intermingled with shards of stone tools and fire remains. The presence of all these items in one place suggests Neanderthals used the cave as a base—for hunting, cooking food, and making tools.
This new evidence debunks the idea that Neanderthals were one-trick, stone-tool pony ponies. Instead, the findings indicate there's a lot to learn about these clever Stone Age craftsmen.
Lastly, the researchers mention an interesting point about the preservation of bone items compared to stone tools.Over time, bone eventually decays, so even if Neanderthals used bone tools frequently, a lot of them might have disintegrated. The Russian bone spear is a fantastic piece of evidence, but hopefully, we'll find more!
The bone spear study was published in the Journal of Archaeological Science.
Key Takeaways:- A 70,000-80,000 year old bone spear was found in Mezmaiskaya Cave in Russia, made by Neanderthals- This is the oldest bone spear ever discovered in Europe- The Neanderthals used bone to create hunting weapons independently of Homo sapiens- The spear's impact marks were analyzed with microscopy, spectroscopy, and CT scans- The spear was made from a bison leg bone and fastened to a wooden handle- Neanderthals may have used the cave for hunting, cooking, and toolmaking
Neanderthal/paleontology/archaeology/hunting tools
- The discovery of a bone spear in Russia, dated 70,000 to 80,000 years old, challenges our perception of Neanderthals being limited to mere stone tool users.
- This finding marks the first evidence of Neanderthals independently crafting bone-tipped hunting weapons in Europe before the arrival of modern humans.
- In the realm of science, research on this bone spear explains that Neanderthals showcased advanced technological skills, rivaling those of Homo sapiens in the field of technology.
- The researchers who studied the bone spear highlight that similar discoveries in medical-conditions, like those related to bone decay, could help us learn more about these ancient beings and their lifestyles.
- Looking ahead, this bone spear discovery opens exciting windows for space-and-astronomy, as it contributes to our expanding knowledge about human history and our place in the universe.
- In the realm of animals, this study provokes thought on how the use of bone-tipped hunting weapons may have influenced interactions with various species during Neanderthal times, impacting their survival strategies and technological advancements in tech and medicine.
