Science

75,000-year-old Neanderthal may have been killed by a spear aimed at the heart

A Neanderthal who died 75,000 years ago may have been killed by a wooden spear deliberately aimed at the heart, revealing rare evidence of prehistoric violence.

✦ Extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting•From 1 source•1 min read•Updated October 31, 2026, 11:05 AM UTC

Surprisingly, the same individual had survived an earlier devastating facial injury, suggesting other Neanderthals provided care and support.

A circular hole in the shoulder blade suggests the weapon pierced the chest and caused a rapidly fatal injury.

How this summary was made: extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting. It is drawn only from the reporting of the sources listed below — read the originals for full detail. How we summarize →

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