Neanderthal bone shows a piercing injury

Archaeologists Emma Pomeroy and Graeme Barker from the University of Cambridge described on October 15, 2026, in the journal Scientific Reports a pierced scapula from a Neanderthal who lived 75,000 years ago in a cave in Iraqi Kurdistan. The hole in the bone, about 15 millimeters in size, was located on the lower part of the left scapula and suggests the use of a wooden spear, though it does not clarify whether the injury was caused by aggression or an accident.

Injury details and timing

The wound is surrounded by at least three fractures radiating from its edges, and no scarring is present around the injury. This absence of scarring indicates the injury occurred at the time of the Neanderthal’s death. However, the mineral deposits around the wound are the same as those found in the rest of the bone, which suggests the injury did not occur long before death.

Comparison with experimental wounds

To determine the type of weapon used, the team compared the hole in the Neanderthal’s bone to wounds created in the laboratory on animal bones. A stone tip, when used, typically leaves an oval or diamond-shaped mark, whereas a wooden stake with a round cross-section produces a circular hole. This comparison helped the researchers identify the likely type of weapon involved.

Evidence of the weapon's direction

Under a micro-scanner, at least four bone fragments were found beneath the scapula, with one of them fitting exactly into the perforation. These fragments suggest the weapon entered from the front, on the left side, while the Neanderthal was facing forward. This provides insight into the angle and direction of the impact.