Archaeology breakthrough as 'Europe's oldest' bone spear made 80,000 years ago found

A new study revealed that an found in 2003 in the Mezmaiskaya Cave in the Caucasus Mountains, Russia, is the oldest bone spear tip ever found in Europe. Most incredibly, it was made by , demonstrating that this extinct archaic human species was already developing advanced hunting tools long before modern humans arrived in Europe.

The 3.5-inch object was made between 80,000 and 70,000 years ago and was fashioned out of a large animal bone, likely a bison. Advanced microscopy, computed tomography and spectroscopy determined that it was shaped with stone and fixed to a wooden stick using a natural adhesive. Until recently, it was thought that Neanderthals only used stone tools and that bone points were exclusively a modern human invention.

However, the new research indicates that Neanderthals were already experimenting with organic materials for weapons prior to the arrival of Homo sapiens: "It is clear evidence that they developed advanced technology on their own, without influence from modern humans, who arrived in much later," the researchers explained.

Microscopic analysis also revealed the projectile had tiny cracks caused by a violent impact, such as striking prey.

"It is similar to the bone spear tips later made by modern humans, but more rudimentary. The Neanderthals were taking their first steps in this technology," the archaeologists added.

The tip was found in 2003 alongside the bones of bison, goats, and deer, as well as stone tools and the remnants of campfires. Experts believe the Mezmaiskaya Cave, where the object was found, was used by Neanderthals as a place to process hunted animals and make tools and other objects.

Dating of the site's, supported by genetic analysis of Neanderthal found in the same layer, confirms that the artefact predates the arrival of modern humans in Europe (around 45,000 years ago). This rules out that it was an imitation of foreign technology.

It also reinforces the idea that Neanderthals had , such as planning and creativity.

"Each such discovery is a key piece to understanding the Neanderthals," the archaeologists concluded. They point out that bone preserves worse than stone and so many similar tools may have been lost.