The Ancient Art of Poisoned Arrows: Traces of Toxic Plant Residue Found on Arrowheads Dating Back 60,000 Years
Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery in southern Africa, uncovering a pile of ancient arrowheads that still bear traces of toxic plant residue after some 60,000 years. This finding pushes back the earliest direct evidence of poisoned arrow use by tens of thousands of years, shedding light on the advanced hunting techniques of our ancient ancestors.
While not immediately fatal, the poison found on these arrows is potent enough to kill a rodent within half an hour. It is believed that this poison was used to incapacitate hunted animals, allowing humans to track them more efficiently.
Previously, the earliest evidence of poisoned arrows in Africa dated back to the mid-Holocene, approximately 7,000 years ago. This recent discovery challenges previous timelines and adds a new dimension to our understanding of early hunting practices.
Understanding Ancient Hunter-Gatherer Technology
The use of poisoned weapons is considered a hallmark of advanced hunter-gatherer technology. Researchers from universities in Sweden and South Africa highlight the significance of this discovery in advancing our knowledge of human adaptation and technobehavioral complexity during a period of rapid innovation in the region.
The ancient arrowheads were first unearthed in 1985 at South Africa’s Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter in KwaZulu-Natal province. Decades later, researchers from Stockholm University, Linnaeus University, and the University of Johannesburg conducted tests on 10 arrowheads from the collection, identifying plant-derived toxic compounds using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.
The toxic plant residue found on the arrowheads is believed to come from a plant species native to southern Africa known as Boophone disticha, historically used as an arrow poison by indigenous communities to hunt animals like springbok.
Ancient Techniques Revealed
Analysis of the arrowheads revealed the presence of toxic alkaloids such as buphandrine and epibuphanisine, both sourced from Boophone disticha. These compounds are consistent with the use of poisoned arrows by indigenous groups in southern Africa, underscoring the sophistication of ancient hunting strategies.
The discovery of toxic plant residue on arrowheads dating back 60,000 years suggests that early humans were using poison as a hunting tool long before previously thought. This finding highlights the advanced planning, abstraction, and causal reasoning required for such a hunting technique to be successful.
Marlize Lombard, a researcher from the University of Johannesburg, had previously speculated that hunter-gatherers in southern Africa may have been using poisoned arrow tips around 60,000 years ago or even earlier, citing the region’s knowledge of various plant uses.
Continuing Discoveries in Ancient Technology
This latest discovery adds to a growing body of evidence showcasing the ingenuity of ancient hominins. From complex glues made by Neanderthals to the use of toxic plant poisons by early humans, our understanding of prehistoric technology continues to evolve.
The study detailing the findings of the poisoned arrowheads was published in Science Advances, marking a significant contribution to our understanding of ancient hunting practices and technological advancements.
