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Ancient Poisoned Arrows Reveal Early Human Intelligence

1/8/2026

46 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Sven Isaksson of Stockholm University led a study showing poisoned arrows used by humans by 60,000 years ago in South Africa, as reported in Science Advances.
The next oldest evidence dates to 35,000 years ago.
Isaksson says the finding implies advanced cognitive abilities in early Homo sapiens.
They needed knowledge of local plants and weapon crafting to make poisoned arrows.
Overall, the research pushes back the timeline for poisoned-arrow use.

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Story summary

Sven Isaksson of Stockholm University led a study showing poisoned arrows used by humans by 60,000 years ago in South Africa, as reported in Science Advances.
The next oldest evidence dates to 35,000 years ago.
Isaksson says the finding implies advanced cognitive abilities in early Homo sapiens.
They needed knowledge of local plants and weapon crafting to make poisoned arrows.
Overall, the research pushes back the timeline for poisoned-arrow use.