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Scientists have uncovered the oldest known evidence of poisoned weapons, after detecting toxic residues on 60,000-year-old arrow tips found in South Africa. The discovery, published in Science Advances, pushes back the use of poison in hunting by at least 25,000 years and highlights the ingenuity of early humans. Chemical analysis revealed that the poison likely came from the Bushman’s poison bulb (Jatropha), a plant still used by indigenous hunters today. The unusually small arrows appear crafted to deliver poison efficiently rather than rely on force alone. Taken together, the clues suggest that ancient humans had a deep knowledge of local ecology and careful weapon design. Researchers say the find underscores the advanced cognitive abilities of early humans and raises the possibility that similar evidence may be hidden in other ancient sites, waiting to be reexamined with modern tools.
The New York Times
