Story perspectives

Ancient Qafzeh Jaw Cut Reveals 100,000-Year-Old Violence

7/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers found a healed cut on the lower left jaw of the Qafzeh 25 fossil, dated 92,000–145,000 years old, indicating interpersonal violence.
Ana Pantoja Pérez of Spain’s National Research Center for Human Evolution led the study published in Scientific Reports.
Advanced analysis identified bone anomalies, enamel defects and left-side remodeling that healed during the individual’s life.
Researchers note that left-side facial wounds often stem from right-handed attackers, supporting a conflict explanation.

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Story summary

Researchers found a healed cut on the lower left jaw of the Qafzeh 25 fossil, dated 92,000–145,000 years old, indicating interpersonal violence.
Ana Pantoja Pérez of Spain’s National Research Center for Human Evolution led the study published in Scientific Reports.
Advanced analysis identified bone anomalies, enamel defects and left-side remodeling that healed during the individual’s life.
Researchers note that left-side facial wounds often stem from right-handed attackers, supporting a conflict explanation.