Excavations at Neanderthal sites in Europe have produced many eye-opening finds that have forced scientists to re-examine previously held beliefs about the capabilities of this long-extinct human cousin. This has happened yet again, as a result of a stunning discovery made by archaeologists digging at the Abric Romaní rock shelter, a Middle Paleolithic Neanderthal site located near Barcelona, Spain. In amongst an impressive collection of stone, wooden, and bone tools, and the remains of animals the Neanderthals hunted for food, an archaeological team from the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES) recovered a sharp spear point made from the bone of a horse. This is a revolutionary discovery, because it is the first such spear point ever found. It reveals that Neanderthals did make and use this kind of hunting weapon, just like modern humans. The bone spear point was found during the most recent excavation season at Abric Romaní, a camping site occupied by Neanderthals from 110,000 to 39,000 years ago, right up to the point where the species went extinct. The spear point has been dated to about 50,000 years ago, and it is just one of tens of thousands of Neanderthal artifacts that have been recovered during excavations at Abric Romaní  over the last three decades. Read moreSection: ArtifactsAncient TechnologyNewsEvolution & Human OriginsRead Later