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Narrowing Down When Humans Began Hurling Spears

sciencehabit writes "Archaeologists have long debated when early humans began hurling stone-tipped spears and darts at large prey. By throwing a spear, instead of thrusting it, humans could hunt buffalo and other dangerous game from a safe distance, with less risk of a goring or mauling. But direct evidence of this hunting technique in early sites has been lacking. A new study of impact marks on the bones of ancient prey shows that such sophisticated killing techniques go back at least 90,000 years ago in Africa and offers a new method of determining how prehistoric hunters made their kills."

4 of 208 comments (clear)

  1. Re:I don't think man ever hunted spears. by JustOK · · Score: 5, Funny

    Leave Britney ALONE!!!!

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    rewriting history since 2109
  2. Re:Brains are a funny thing by punman · · Score: 5, Funny

    The Romain Empire used concrete extensively, even hydraulic cement (cures under water).

    After the Empire fell, they went back to building with rocks.

    Lettuce hear more of this Romaine empire ...

  3. Re:Just Look For... by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    But the National Spear Association lobbied against controls. Even cave babies were allowed to own spears.

  4. Re:Just Look For... by sycodon · · Score: 4, Funny

    That's because they wanted people to keep their spear disassembled when not in use. So when a Sabertoothed Tiger came into your cave, you would have had to ask it to wait while you tied the pointy rock to the end. And before you start, short pointy sticks are only good against other cavemen.

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    When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.