The weapons in question – nine wooden spears – were found in the mid-20th century in a coal mine in Germany.
Previously, it was believed that they were used around 300,000 years ago, but only now has it been possible to establish that the spears are "only" 200,000 years old – and originate from the Neanderthals. This is shown by a dating in which Lund University has participated.
"The results deepen our understanding of when and how Homo neanderthalensis began to develop complex social behaviors such as cooperative hunting – behaviors that form the basis of human society today," says Zoran Perić in a press release.
Strengthen theories of intelligence
He means that the discovery strengthens the theory that Neanderthals could hunt in a sophisticated way. And that the results support the view of them as adaptable, not just robust survivors.
"We establish that Neanderthals 200,000 years ago had the technical skill and strategic planning required for large-scale big game hunting," says Perić.
At the same time, the new dating also changes the image of Homo heidelbergensis, the group to which the spears were previously attributed.
The belief that the group used these hunting weapons led sometimes to exaggerated interpretations of their cognitive and social abilities, writes Lund University in the press release.
Advanced technology
The previous age determination was made in the mid-1990s and the analysis was not as in-depth as the one made now.
Among other things, the researchers have analyzed amino acids in the material, as well as worked with a measurement technique that dates the material to light.
"Considering the results and the new dating of the spears, it is not unthinkable that other historical finds may get new age determinations as the technology is refined," says Zoran Perić.
