Unveiling Ancient Hunting Tools: The Schöningen Spears

Did you know that the world’s oldest known wooden spears were likely crafted by Neanderthals approximately 200,000 years ago? A groundbreaking study reveals that these ancient tools were utilized to hunt entire herds of wild horses. Discovered in 1994 at the renowned Schöningen site in Germany, these spears were initially thought to date back 400,000 years. However, recent analyses suggest they were actually made during a period when early humans honed their skills for collective hunting.

The remarkable collection found at Schöningen comprises nine intact spears, one lance, and various other implements, including throwing sticks. This remarkable assemblage represents the only fully preserved set of wooden Paleolithic weapons ever unearthed. Earlier research had posited that these artifacts might have originated from Homo heidelbergensis, a common ancestor of both modern humans and Neanderthals.

In a significant shift, the latest study concentrated on the specific deposits surrounding the spears rather than merely examining the sediment layers beneath them. This approach led scientists to conclude that the spears are indeed 200,000 years old, marking them as the oldest of their kind ever found on the planet.

Dr. Jarod Hutson, one of the authors of the study, explained that this new timeline firmly places the spears within the era of Neanderthals. This revelation is crucial, as it enhances our understanding of Neanderthal behaviors during an earlier phase of their existence, offering insights into their social dynamics and hunting methodologies.

The findings indicate that the Neanderthals at Schöningen engaged in cooperative hunting, successfully targeting and taking down entire family groups of horses. Such a feat would have necessitated a high level of teamwork and coordination among the hunters.

The discovery of these ancient spears provides enlightening perspectives on the hunting practices of early Neanderthals and how they may have compared to the earliest modern humans. Evidence suggests that Neanderthals were highly skilled at hunting a variety of animals, demonstrating a good level of success.

While the spears from Schöningen hold the title of the oldest complete wooden spears known, an even older spearhead fragment was found in Clacton, England. This indicates that the use of spears for hunting may extend even further back in time, although the level of coordinated hunting observed at Schöningen may not have been present in that earlier period.

Published in the journal Science Advances, this study offers a captivating glimpse into the hunting strategies and social interactions of Neanderthals from 200,000 years ago.