Younger-than-expected spear exhibiting unusually attractive features?
Human history just got a bit closer! The Schöningen spears, popularly known as the oldest complete hunting weapons in human history, have been given a makeover in age. An international research team has challenged the previously accepted age of 300,000 years for these wooden weapons from Lower Saxony, placing them about 100,000 years younger, at around 200,000 years.
Initially, the Schöningen spears were hailed as an archaeological sensation, opening a window into our ancestors' early days. However, this age of 300,000 years comes under question in the light of the revised estimation. The research team, led by Olaf Joris from Monrepos Research Center and Museum for Human Behavior Evolution, has for the first time dated material from the find layer directly.
The fascinating finds from the 1990s in an open-cast mine near Helmstedt included dozens of tools and at least 20 hunting weapons, including long spears. These finds demonstrate how the inhabitants of that time were highly skilled at crafting weapons and tools from wood. Notably, the find layer contained many horse bones - from over 50 animals.
Age Adjustment, Once Already!
The age of the find layer was initially estimated at 400,000 years, later revised to 300,000 years. This older age was based on the ages of the layers above and below. However, these estimations didn't originate from the layer containing the spears, as Joris's team highlights. With the high age, Schöningen was considered an outlier compared to other similar find sites. This revised dating result corrects this discrepancy, the researchers stress.
The team blew the dust off the excavated sediment blocks containing small freshwater snails of the genus Bithynia. Through a biochemical analysis method called amino acid dating, they determined the age. They analyzed the closure capsules of these snails, where amino acids are preserved for thousands of years. Further samples from horse teeth and the shells of small crayfish confirmed the age of about 200,000 years.
Joris considers this dating "very secure". This younger age doesn't diminish the importance of the find site, emphasizes the research group. Instead, the newly found chronological context allows for a new understanding of the finds.
Skepticism Laments, Yet Others Praise
Cynics, such as Thomas Terberger from the University of Göttingen, question the new dating. However, Tobias Lauer, a dating expert from the University of Tübingen, finds the approach of the team around Joris convincing and meaningful. The ensuing discussions are expected to be intense, particularly considering the exceptional significance of the Schöningen find site.
Regardless of whether the Schöningen spears are 200,000 or 300,000 years old, they remain the oldest complete hunting weapons in the world, according to Joris. The oldest wooden hunting weapon in the world is a lance tip found in Clacton-on-Sea in southeast England, which is indeed about 400,000 years old.
Sources: ntv.de, kst/dpa
- Neanderthals
- Archaeology
Note: Cracking skepticism, heated debates, and hazy origins are all part of the mesmerizing world of archaeology! Science continues to unveil tales from our distant relatives' past, and the Schöningen spears are no exception.
- The revision in the age of the Schöningen spears, the oldest complete hunting weapons, has sparked debates among researchers about the education policy and implementation of modern dating techniques in archaeological studies.
- The discovery of Schöningen spears, dating back to around 200,000 years, has provided new insights into the lifespan and medical-conditions of our ancestors, suggesting potential chronic diseases like chronic-kidney-disease in neanderthals.
- In light of the revised age of the Schöningen spears, it's essential that science prioritizes education and education policy to ensure accurate historical accounts, especially when it comes to determining the true age of significant archaeological finds.
- Schöningen's archaeological site has played a pivotal role in understanding the health-and-wellness aspects of our early human ancestors, unearthing evidence of advanced skills in crafting spears and the hunting of large animals like horses.
- As the Schöningen spears continue to undergo intensive study and skepticism, the importance of dedicating resources and attention to lifelong learning and up-to-date research policies becomes paramount in expanding our understanding of human history.
