Ancient wooden spears found in Germany may have been carried out by Neanderthals, new research suggests
This 2007 photo provided by researchers shows the end of a wooden hunting spear that was about 200,000 years ago discovered in a coal mine in Scheningen, a German town. Credit: CS Fuchs/niedersächsischeslandesamtfürdenkmalpflege
Ancient wooden spear sets may be younger than the scientists who are thought up and behaved by the Neanderthals in place of their ancestors.
The perfect spear, made of spruce and pine, is one of the oldest known hunting weapons. They were found in the German town of Scheningon over 20 years ago with the remains of almost 50 horses.
Previous estimates showed that the spear was dated 300,000 years ago, so scientists thought the weapon belonged to an early group of humans called Homoheidelbergensis.
However, new analysis using different dating techniques suggests that the spear is young and placed around 200,000 years ago. The New Age means hunting weapons could have been used instead by Neanderthals, according to a study published in Science Advances on Friday.
This 2014 photo provided by researchers shows a set of wooden hunting spears from around 200,000 years ago discovered in a coal mine in Scheningen, a German town. Credit: Volker Minkus/Niedersächsisches Landesamtfürdenkmalpflegevia AP
Recent research suggests that some Neanderthals mixed and mated with early humans. A well-balanced, well-crafted spear can help scientists understand what the Neanderthals can do and how they hunt.
The spear is “slightly refined for the old ones,” research co-author Jarrod Hutson told the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
This 2014 photo provided by researchers shows a set of wooden hunting spears from around 200,000 years ago discovered in a coal mine in Scheningen, a German town. Credit: Volker Minkus/Niedersächsisches Landesamtfürdenkmalpflegevia AP
However, it is not yet clear why new dating sites disagree with previous estimates. Thomas Telberger, an archaeologist at the University of Goettingen, said more research is needed to ensure Spears’ age and who used it in the hunt.
“At the moment I find this argument interesting, but it’s definitely not persuasive,” said Terberger, who had no role in the new study.
Details: Jarod M. Hutson et al., Schöningen Hunting Spears’ revised age indicates the strengthening of Neanderthal cooperative actions 200,000 years ago, Science Advancements (2025). doi:10.1126/sciadv.adv0752
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