Ancient bone spear tip found in Russia is oldest in Europe and made by Neanderthals

An international team has unearthed the oldest spear tip ever found in Europe and notes that it was fashioned by Neanderthals. In their paper published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, the group describes how and where the spear tip was found, its condition and what they have learned about it through extensive study.

The spear tip was found back in 2003 in a sediment layer in a cave in the North Caucasus, Russia, along with a host of bones from a variety of animals, and also the remnants of a campfire. It was only recently that the spear tip was fully examined.

The research team used spectroscopy, computed tomography, and other microscopy techniques and were able to ascertain that the spear tip (which was 9 cm long) had been made from the bone of an animal, likely a bison. It had also been attached to a wooden shaft using a type of tar.

The team was also able to date the spear back to between 80,000 and 70,000 years ago. This predates the arrival of modern humans in Europe (approximately 45,000 years ago), leaving Neanderthals as the likely makers of the spear tip.

Further study of the spear tip showed that it had been shaped using stone tools, and that it had been used either in battle or for hunting—there were cracks showing it had struck something very hard. There were also no signs of long use, which the team suggests means it had likely been used successfully shortly after it was made.

The finding of the spear tip upends theories suggesting that Neanderthals never advanced past stone tools. It also shows, the team suggests, that Neanderthals were able to plan ahead, not only in making the tool, but in the way it was used.

The finding also raises another question: Why is it so unique? If Neanderthals were using bone spear tips to bring down prey, why are there not a lot of them left for modern researchers to find? The research team suggests that most probably decayed over time because they were not left in places conducive to their survival, such as the cave where this one was found.

More information:
Liubov V. Golovanova et al, On the Mousterian origin of bone-tipped hunting weapons in Europe: Evidence from Mezmaiskaya Cave, North Caucasus, Journal of Archaeological Science (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2025.106223

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Ancient bone spear tip found in Russia is oldest in Europe and made by Neanderthals (2025, May 2)
retrieved 2 May 2025
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