A study of ancient bones from Shanidar Cave in Iraq suggests that a Neanderthal probably died from a wooden spear wound about 75,000 years ago. Known as Shanidar A, the individual was around 45 years old. The findings appeared in Scientific Reports on 15 October.
Researchers examined a round hole, 1.5 centimetres wide, in the left shoulder blade. Its shape matched injuries made by wooden spears rather than stone-tipped weapons. Small breaks and displaced pieces of bone supported this explanation, while the lack of healing suggested that the injury happened around the time of death. The team believes a spear entered from the front and passed through the chest. However, they cannot establish whether this was an attack or a hunting accident.
A broken front tooth tells another part of the story. It suggests a serious facial injury at least a year before death. Researchers believe Shanidar A probably needed help from others to survive, as eating and communicating would have been difficult. The individual's apparent burial in the cave also suggests care after death.
