What's Happening?
Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of 60,000-year-old poison arrows in South Africa, marking the oldest known use of poison on projectiles. The discovery was made at the Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter site
in KwaZulu-Natal, where researchers found traces of plant-based poison on quartz arrowheads. The poison is believed to have been derived from the Boophone disticha plant, commonly known as the poisonous onion. This finding pushes back the timeline for the use of poison arrows into the Pleistocene era, highlighting a complex hunting strategy used by early humans. Previously, the earliest evidence of poisoned arrows dated back to the mid-Holocene, with examples found in Egyptian tombs and South Africa's Kruger Cave.
Why It's Important?
This discovery provides significant insights into the cognitive and technological advancements of early human societies. The use of poison in hunting indicates a sophisticated understanding of natural resources and their applications. It also suggests that early humans had developed complex strategies for survival, which could have contributed to their evolutionary success. The finding enriches our understanding of human history and the development of hunting techniques, offering a glimpse into the lives of our ancestors and their interactions with the environment.
