Archaeology: Possible fatal spear wound in Shanidar Cave Neanderthal remains (Scientific Reports )
16 October 2026
Injuries to the remains of a recently excavated Neanderthal individual from Shanidar Cave, Iraqi Kurdistan, suggest that they may have been fatally wounded by a wooden spear, according to a paper published in Scientific Reports. Other injuries suggest that they may have been cared for while alive.
Several Neanderthal individuals dating from 50,000 to 75,000 years ago have been identified in Shanidar Cave. Previous research indicates that they were probably deliberately interred there, suggesting symbolic burial behaviour.
Emma Pomeroy and colleagues analysed the remains of Shanidar A, which were excavated in 2019 and 2022. These comprise of the mostly complete right hand, several ribs and fragments, the left shoulder blade, and seven teeth. The individual, estimated to have been approximately 45 years old, was found lying on their back with their head pointing east, directly beneath the torso of the previously described female, Shanidar Z. The authors suggest that Shanidar A is the earliest individual yet found as part of a unique cluster of skeletal remains and was likely laid in an existing shallow channel.
The shoulder blade has a smooth-edged circular hole, approximately 15 mm in diameter, with radiating fractures and displaced bone fragments. The authors propose that the injury occurred around the time of death and was likely caused by a wooden spear thrust from the front. However, it is unclear whether the wound resulted from a hunting accident or violence. The teeth also show unusual damage, including an incisor split vertically with later signs of wear, suggesting a non-fatal traumatic mouth injury.
The authors therefore suggest that Shanidar A may have received care that allowed them to survive this severe facial injury before sustaining the possibly fatal spear wound. The findings provide clues into how the Neanderthals of the Shanidar Cave cared for individuals in both life and death.
- Article
- Open access
- Published: 15 October 2026
Pomeroy, E., Hunt, C.O., López-Polín, L. et al. Evidence for funerary behaviour and lethal trauma in a new Neanderthal individual from Shanidar Cave. Sci Rep 16, 30042 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-69193-z
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