Spear tip found in Russia is the oldest in Europe, made by Neanderthals.

A team of archaeologists unearthed the oldest spear tip ever found in Europe and noted that it was crafted by Neanderthals.

Spear tip found in Russia is the oldest in Europe, made by Neanderthals. — Four photographs of the tapered part of the specimen. White rectangles marked with numbers indicate: 1 – areas of red-brown coloration of the type caused by heat at the tip; 2 – location of the photograph of bitumen residue. Credit: Liubov V. Golovanova et al

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An international team of researchers has uncovered the oldest spear tip ever discovered in Europe, revealing that it was crafted by Neanderthals. In their study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, the team provides detailed insights into the spear tip’s discovery, its condition, and the findings they gleaned from extensive analysis.

The spear tip was initially found in 2003, buried within a sediment layer in a cave in the North Caucasus, Russia. Alongside it were numerous animal bones and remnants of a campfire. However, it wasn’t until recently that the spear tip was thoroughly examined.

Using advanced techniques such as spectroscopy, computed tomography, and microscopy, the researchers determined that the 9 cm-long spear tip was made from animal bone, likely bison. It was attached to a wooden shaft with a type of tar.

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Further analysis allowed the team to date the spear tip to between 80,000 and 70,000 years ago, placing it well before modern humans arrived in Europe, around 45,000 years ago. This suggests that Neanderthals were the creators of the spear tip.

High-resolution-microscopic-photograph-of-the-tip-of-the-specimen — High resolution microscopic photograph of the tip of the specimen (A) and two high resolution microscopic photographs (B and C) detailing flattened areas on the tip (indicated with white rectangles, and numbered 1 and 2). Credit: Liubov V. Golovanova et al

The team also discovered that the spear tip had been shaped with stone tools and showed signs of use in either hunting or combat, evidenced by cracks indicating it had struck something very hard. Notably, the tip showed no signs of prolonged use, implying that it had likely been used shortly after its creation. This finding challenges previous theories that Neanderthals never advanced beyond using stone tools and suggests that they were capable of strategic planning, both in crafting tools and in their use.

See also: 7,000-year-old fire-making tools discovered in China

The discovery raises a compelling question: Why is this spear tip so unique? If Neanderthals were indeed using bone spear tips to hunt, why are so few surviving examples found by modern researchers? The team speculates that many of these tools may have decayed over time, as they were not left in environments conducive to their preservation—such as the cave where this particular spear tip was discovered.

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More information: Liubov V. Golovanova et al, On the Mousterian origin of bone-tipped hunting weapons in Europe: Evidence from Mezmaiskaya Cave, North Caucasus, Journal of Archaeological Science (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2025.106223

Source: phys

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