Archaeologists have discovered what they believe to be the world’s oldest bow-and-arrow technology, which dates back 80,000 years, according to a new study published in the journal PLOS One.
‘Micropoints’ May Be Oldest Bow-and-Arrow on Record
Researchers found triangular “micropoints” matching primitive arrows in Uzbekistan’s Obi-Rakhmat rock shelter which predates similar discoveries by 6,000 years. Lead researcher Hugues Plisson, who admitted that he and his team at first looked past the micropoints because they were so fragmentary, the tips were likely used to adorn the tips of arrows rather than spears or knives. Measuring a relatively slim 15–24 meters and weighing just 0.003 pounds each, scientists believe that the arrow heads were too insignificant to be used for spears and hunting, while the shatter patterns are consistent with bow-and-arrow use.
H. Plisson et al., PLOS ONE
H. Plisson et al., PLOS ONE
The discovery has led to much discussion regarding to whom the arrowheads belonged, as Neanderthals, early Homo sapiens, and possibly even hybrid populations were present in Central Asia around this time. The find is especially tantalizing because, while it’s known that Neanderthals were living in the region, no Neanderthal arrowheads have ever been found and documented within historical record. The authors explain that similar micropoint technology was also found in France’s Grotte Mandrin in France, where settlers used a similar technology roughly 54,000 years ago.
Discovery Rewrites Projectile Weapon History
The discovery of the arrowheads drastically rewrites the history of projectile weapon development. Up until now, the earliest-known example of such an artifact was dated to 74,000 years ago in Ethiopia. If the findings in Uzbekistan prove to be legitimate, it would mean the projectiles originated in Asia rather than Africa. Plisson and his colleagues will continue to explore different spots at the archaeological site with the hope of contextualizing their discoveries in terms of early human movement across Eurasia.
