Neanderthal survival after spear attack revealed by Shanidar Cave remains

Archaeologists from the University of Cambridge identified a 75,000-year-old Neanderthal individual, Shanidar A, whose remains provide rare evidence of prehistoric violence and social care (Prateek Dasgupta from Forgotten Footprints). Excavations at Shanidar Cave in Iraq uncovered a left shoulder blade featuring a small, round hole that matches the size of a wooden spear. Micro-CT scans confirmed that bone fragments were pushed into the wound from the front, indicating a projectile impact that likely pierced the lungs. This find provides rare physical evidence of the use of wooden spears, which seldom survive in the archaeological record.

Beyond the injury, the remains reveal that the individual lived for at least a year after the attack. One of Shanidar A’s teeth split during the incident, and the subsequent build-up of dental calculus in the root canal confirms the person survived the trauma. Researchers believe the individual’s companions provided care, including mashed food, to support the injured Neanderthal during this recovery period. This discovery illustrates that Neanderthal groups maintained complex social support systems for vulnerable members long before modern human civilizations emerged.