A team of researchers has determined that a bone spear tip, excavated in 2003 from a site in Russia, is around 80,000 years old. This finding is significant because it predates the arrival of Homo sapiens (modern humans) in Europe, who are believed to have reached the continent only about 45,000 years ago. The advanced craftsmanship of the spear tip indicates that earlier human species, such as Neanderthals or Denisovans, were capable of sophisticated hunting tool production. The discovery challenges previous assumptions about the technological capabilities of these archaic humans and suggests that complex tool-making was not exclusive to modern humans. The spear tip’s age was determined using advanced dating techniques, and its design shows evidence of deliberate shaping and use. This adds to a growing body of evidence that Neanderthals and other ancient hominins were more technologically adept than previously thought. The research, published by ScienceAlert, highlights the importance of re-evaluating the timeline and development of human technology in prehistoric Eurasia.