Researchers from the Catalan Insтιтute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES-CERCA) unearthed a 50,000-year-old spearhead made from a horse bone at the Abric Romaní archaeological site near Barcelona. This discovery is forcing experts to rethink the long-held view that Neanderthals predominantly relied on stone tools for hunting.

Different views of the horse bone. Credit: Mateo-Lomba et al., Scientific Reports 2024 (CC BY 4.0)

The Abric Romaní site has long been recognized as a key location for understanding Neanderthal occupation. The rock shelter, located on the north side of the Cinglera del Capelló, served as a camping site for Neanderthals between 75,000 and 40,000 years ago. Over the past 40 years, excavations at the site have uncovered various tools made from stone, wood, and bone. However, the discovery of this spearhead is unique, marking the first instance of Neanderthals in the Iberian Peninsula using animal bones to create hunting weapons.

The spearhead, made from a horse bone, displays clear signs of intentional carving. Microscopic impact marks and fractures at the tip indicate that the tool was used as a weapon, and traces of wear suggest it was attached to a wooden shaft, further supporting its use in hunting. Previous bone tools found at Neanderthal sites were typically used for scraping hides, digging, or other utilitarian purposes, but this spearhead demonstrates a more advanced and flexible approach to tool-making. According to the researchers, the spearhead’s design suggests Neanderthals were not simply relying on bone as a subsтιтute when stone was unavailable; rather, they intentionally selected bone as a material for crafting hunting tools, despite the abundance of stone tools at the site.

This discovery challenges the previous ᴀssumption that Neanderthals lacked the innovation and technological diversity of modern humans. Dr. Mateo-Lomba, the lead researcher, explains that this finding “contributes to our understanding of Neanderthal hunting behavior and the importance of bone tools in their technological repertoire.” He adds, “The flexibility and adaptability of Neanderthal technology are highlighted, providing evidence of a bone technology that is sometimes hidden in the archaeological record.”

The spearhead displays clear signs of intentional carving. Credit: Mateo-Lomba et al., Scientific Reports 2024 (CC BY 4.0)

Neanderthals have long been ᴀssociated with stone tools, which were their primary hunting implements. The discovery of this bone spearhead broadens our understanding of their technological capabilities and suggests that they were more resourceful and adaptable than previously thought. Bone technology has been observed in other hominin species, with evidence of bone tools dating back as far as 2 million years in South Africa and Tanzania. However, most of these early tools were simple implements used for non-hunting purposes. The Abric Romaní spearhead, in contrast, represents a significant leap in Neanderthal craftsmanship, indicating that these ancient humans could produce sophisticated hunting tools from a variety of materials.

The spearhead’s intentional design and the presence of impact fractures suggest that it was used to hunt large animals, possibly deer or horses. It remains unclear whether the Neanderthals specifically selected the horse bone for this purpose or if it was repurposed after the animal had been butchered. The bone industry’s growing prominence at Neanderthal sites like Abric Romaní suggests that these ancient humans were skilled in utilizing available resources to meet their needs.

The study, published in Scientific Reports, has significant implications for future research into early bone technology. As the researchers note, this discovery “paves the way for further investigation into the growing field of early bone technology,” offering the potential to uncover more about the resourcefulness, technological behavior, and survival strategies of ancient human groups.

More information: Mateo-Lomba, P., Ollé, A., Fernández-Marchena, J.L. et al. (2024). First identification of a Neanderthal bone spear point through an interdisciplinary analysis at Abric Romaní (NE Iberian Peninsula). Sci Rep 14, 19160. DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-67817-w