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Neanderthal Shoulder Wound Points to Possible Wooden Spear Killing in Iraq

A hole in a 75,000-year-old shoulder blade could be early evidence of lethal spear violence, while other injuries suggest the same Neanderthal also experienced care.

Read the full story → · Latest coverage 16 Oct 2026, 0:41 pm UTC

Key moments · 5

Recently discovered remains reveal a pierced shoulder blade

New Scientist ↗

Archaeologists describe a 15mm hole linked to a spear

BBC - Home ↗

Entry angle and damage inform proposed spear explanation

Popular Science ↗

Wound identified as potentially earliest lethal wooden spear evidence

Phys.org ↗

Earlier facial injury survival adds evidence of possible care

World News Headlines, Latest International News, World Breaking News - Times of India News ↗

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2 articles

  1. 75,000-year-old Neanderthal injury may be earliest evidence of lethal spear attack
    Times of India Top Stories
  2. 75,000-year-old Neanderthal remains reveal possible fatal spear attack and signs of care
    World News Headlines, Latest International News, World Breaking News - Times of India News

8 articles

  1. A 75,000-Year-Old Neanderthal May Be the Earliest Known Victim of a Wooden Spear Attack
    Discover Magazine
  2. A Spear Wound Likely Killed This Neanderthal, but It Tells a Very Human Story
    Gizmodo Tech
  3. Fatal Neanderthal wound may be earliest evidence of a wooden spear attack on a human ancestor
    Phys.org
  4. Hole in Neanderthal shoulder bone linked to ancient wooden spear
    BBC - Home
  5. Neanderthal skeleton found with horrific injuries
    New Scientist