A Neandertal’s punctured shoulder blade suggests a wooden-spear wound

Science News reports that researchers found a punctured Neandertal shoulder blade at Iraq’s Shanidar site. Bone fragments in the surrounding dirt suggest it was pierced while the individual was alive, and the lack of healing points to an injury around the time of death. Researchers say the round hole resembles wounds made by wooden spears. A broken tooth suggests an earlier facial injury; the study authors speculate that the Neandertal may have received care.