75,000-year-old wound may be earliest evidence of human ancestor killed by spear

The ventral (left) and dorsal (right) views of the Shanidar A scapula. Ventral is the front of the scapula, the side that faces the ribs (chest). Dorsal is the back of the scapula. (Dr. Emma Pomeroy via SWNS)

By Stephen Beech

A fatal wound inflicted 75,000 years ago may be the earliest evidence of a human ancestor killed by a spear.

75,000-year-old wound may be earliest evidence of human ancestor killed by spear

The hole in the scapula and the fragments found embedded in the sediment below the perforation. Top left: Ventral view of the hole in the scapula, showing two refitting fragments. Top right: The linea muscularis, highlighted by the dashed line, indicates that the fragments are correctly refitted. Bottom: 3D rendering of the hole and fragments embedded in the sediment underneath the scapula in situ prior to conservation. (Dr. Emma Pomeroy via SWNS)

75,000-year-old wound may be earliest evidence of human ancestor killed by spear

View of the entrance to Shanidar Cave in Iraqi Kurdistan. (Dr. Emma Pomeroy via SWNS)

75,000-year-old wound may be earliest evidence of human ancestor killed by spear

Various views of the mandibular left lateral incisor that had been spilt longitudinally. Views of the tooth, from left to right: top (chewing surface), bottom (root end). Middle: toward the front of the dental arch (mesial), toward the lips (labial), toward the back of the dental arch (distal), and toward the tongue (lingual). (Dr. Emma Pomeroy via SWNS)

Originally published on talker.news, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.

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