Bow-and-arrow, technology of the first modern humans in Europe 54,000 years ago at Mandrin, France

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add4675
• Publication Date: 2023-02-22T18:57:21Z
• Authors: Laure Metz; Jason E. Lewis; Ludovic Slimak
• Keywords: Upper Paleolithic; Paleoanthropology; Spear; Middle Paleolithic; Hominidae

Consensus in archaeology has posited that mechanically propelled weapons, such as bow-and-arrow or spear-thrower-and-dart combinations, appeared abruptly the Eurasian record with arrival of anatomically and behaviorally modern humans Upper Paleolithic (UP) after 45,000 to 42,000 years (ka) ago, while evidence for weapon use during preceding Middle (MP) Eurasia remains sparse. The ballistic features MP points suggest they were used on hand-cast spears, whereas UP lithic weapons are focused microlithic technologies commonly interpreted projectiles, a crucial innovation distinguishing societies from ones. Here, we present earliest projectile technology Layer E Grotte Mandrin 54 ka ago Mediterranean France, demonstrated via use-wear impact damage analyses. These technologies, associated oldest human currently known Europe, represent technical background these populations their first incursion into continent.