In the depths of prehistory, humanity's journey was marked by innovation. The hunter-gatherers who once roamed the fertile lands surrounding the Haine River in southern Belgium, approximately 31,000 years ago, were no exception. A recent study conducted at the University of Liège's TraceoLab has unearthed a remarkable discovery that rewinds the clock on the history of long-range hunting weapons. These pioneering individuals were already using spearthrowers, an ancient tool for hunting, a staggering 10,000 years earlier than previously known, shedding light on the remarkable technological innovations of our ancestors.
The weapon in question, the spearthrower, was ingeniously designed for propelling darts, large projectiles akin to arrows but measuring over two meters in length. Spearthrowers were capable of launching these darts over impressive distances, with some reaching up to 80 meters. This newfound revelation challenges our understanding of ancient hunting practices and their transformative effects on human evolution, altering the dynamics between humans and their prey, dietary habits, and the social organization of prehistoric hunter-gatherer societies.
The evolution of long-range hunting weapons has long fascinated the scientific community, with the date of their invention and dissemination being subjects of intense debate. What made this discovery particularly challenging was the scarcity of well-preserved early weapons at archaeological sites, mainly due to their organic components. Stone points, which are more commonly found at excavations, have been difficult to definitively link to specific weapons, further complicating the quest to uncover the early history of these tools.
Combination of impact traces on an archaeological artifact that could be identified as a spearthrower dart thanks to the experiments. Credit: TraceoLab/ULiège
A significant factor contributing to the debate surrounding the age of spearthrowers and bows in Europe and Africa was the reliance on projectile point size to make these connections. However, ethnographic studies and experimental testing have cast doubt on this approach, revealing that arrow, dart, and spear tips can exhibit considerable size variability with overlapping ranges.
To tackle this conundrum, the archaeologists at TraceoLab devised an innovative approach that combined ballistic analysis and fracture mechanics, offering a deeper understanding of the telltale signs preserved on flint points. In an extensive experiment, they fired replicas of Paleolithic projectiles using different weapons, including spears, bows, and spearthrowers. Noora Taipale, an FNRS research fellow at TraceoLab, elaborates on their approach, saying, "By carefully examining the fractures on these stone points, we were able to understand how each weapon affected the fracturing of the points when they impacted the target."
Remarkably, each weapon left distinct marks on the stone points, akin to identifying a firearm based on the marks left on a bullet – a practice known from forensic science. The compelling match between the experimental spearthrower samples and the ancient projectiles discovered at the Maisières-Canal site confirmed that the inhabitants of the region utilized these advanced hunting tools.
Christian Lepers preparing for a spearthrower shot during the experimentation conducted at TraceoLab. Credit: TraceoLab/ULiège
The impact of this discovery extends far beyond merely rewriting the timeline of spearthrower usage; it opens new avenues for research into the history of ancient long-range weaponry. Future work at TraceoLab aims to refine and expand their analytical approach to other archaeological contexts, providing valuable insights into the evolution of these crucial technologies and the societies that wielded them.
In conclusion, the ancient hunters of the Haine River region in southern Belgium were early pioneers of long-range weaponry, wielding spearthrowers long before previously thought. This discovery not only prompts a reevaluation of the timeline of technological innovations but also underscores the ingenuity and adaptability of our prehistoric ancestors. By employing innovative methods and meticulous analysis, archaeologists are now one step closer to unraveling the mysteries of ancient hunting practices, shedding light on the fascinating story of human evolution.
