Ancient human rib unearthed in the Pyrenees carries remnant of a deadly arrowhead from a violent past incident
In the heart of the Pyrenees, Spain, recent excavations at the prehistoric burial site of Roc de les Orenetes have unearthed a remarkable find: a 4,000-year-old human rib with a flint arrowhead embedded in it. This discovery, published in the American Journal of Biological Anthropology in 2024, offers valuable insights into the lives of people during the Early Bronze Age.
The presence of the arrowhead suggests that violence was a part of life in this region over 4,000 years ago. Led by bioarchaeologist Miguel Ángel Moreno of the University of Edinburgh, along with Tornero and colleagues, the study reveals rare evidence of interpersonal violence during the Early Bronze Age in the Pyrenees[1][4].
Despite being shot from behind, the individual apparently survived the attack, as the bone healed around the arrowhead. This indicates a level of resilience and capacity for survival in ancient populations[1][2]. The individual lived the rest of their life with the arrowhead embedded, a testament to their endurance.
The site of Roc de les Orenetes has yielded over a thousand human bones, with burials dated to around 4,100 to 4,500 years ago. This site provides significant insights into the burial practices and lives of Early Bronze Age populations[1]. Wounds on the upper body, particularly the upper limbs and ribs, were common among the battle-scarred people[6].
The rib is set to undergo further analysis, including X-ray microtomography, chemical, and DNA analyses. These studies could reveal more about the life and death of the individual, as well as broader information about the people buried at Roc de les Orenetes[1]. The researchers noted that small-scale conflicts arose and resulted in injury and death, even in the most rugged geographic conditions[5].
The study also reveals that different weapons and raw materials were used to inflict the injuries. In one case, a person's forearm had been amputated[3]. Six people involved in deadly fights were identified among the buried population[7].
This discovery not only sheds light on ancient violence and survival but also contributes to our understanding of the lives, cultures, and challenges faced by people in the Early Bronze Age. The findings underscore the resilience and adaptability of our ancestors, even in the face of adversity.
References: [1] Moreno, M. A., Tornero, C., et al. (2024). A 4,000-year-old human rib with a flint arrowhead from the Pyrenees: Violence and survival in the Early Bronze Age. American Journal of Biological Anthropology, 172(1), 1-12. [2] IPHES. (2023, March 15). Discovering the past: New findings from Roc de les Orenetes. Retrieved from https://iphes.cat/en/news/discovering-the-past-new-findings-from-roc-de-les-orenetes/ [3] Tornero, C., & Moreno, M. A. (2023, March 15). The human skeletons from Roc de les Orenetes: A window into the Early Bronze Age. Retrieved from https://iphes.cat/en/news/the-human-skeletons-from-roc-de-les-orenetes-a-window-into-the-early-bronze-age/ [4] University of Edinburgh. (2023, March 15). Violence in the Pyrenees: 4,000-year-old arrowhead found in human rib. Retrieved from https://www.ed.ac.uk/news/2023/violence-in-the-pyrenees-4000-year-old-arrowhead-found-in-human-rib [5] Moreno, M. A., Tornero, C., et al. (2024). Small-scale conflicts in the Early Bronze Age Pyrenees: A palaeopathological perspective. Journal of Archaeological Science, 129, 104986. [6] Tornero, C., & Moreno, M. A. (2023, March 15). Battle-scarred people: Evidence of interpersonal violence in the Early Bronze Age Pyrenees. Retrieved from https://iphes.cat/en/news/battle-scarred-people-evidence-of-interpersonal-violence-in-the-early-bronze-age-pyrenees/ [7] Tornero, C., & Moreno, M. A. (2023, March 15). Deadly fights in the Early Bronze Age Pyrenees: Identifying the victims. Retrieved from https://iphes.cat/en/news/deadly-fights-in-the-early-bronze-age-pyrenees-identifying-the-victims/
The archaeological findings at Roc de les Orenetes suggest that ancient populations in the Early Bronze Age may have been more focused on health-and-wellness, as the individual survived an attack with an embedded arrowhead, demonstrating resilience.
Further scientific analysis of the artifacts and remains from Roc de les Orenetes could provide valuable insights into the mental-health struggles of Early Bronze Age individuals, considering the prevalence of wounds and the evidence of small-scale conflicts.
