Researchers Find Oldest Evidence Of Human Warfare

The oldest evidence of warfare between humans has been unearthed in Kenya, revealing that about 10,000 years ago a group of people were attacked and killed with primitive weapons. In total, remains belonging to 27 individuals were found in Northern Kenya about 20 miles away from Lake Turkana. This region has proven very fruitful for researchers in the past, being about where the oldest ever stone tools were found.

The attack, which is described as having been brutal and likely premeditated, was carried out using primitive weapons like stone knives or swords, arrows, and club. One unearthed skull, for example, shows signs of having been crushed with a couple hits from a club. Another victim, a pregnant woman, had been bound at the hands and feet.

Further evidence of weapons used were uncovered, including a piece of obsidian, a glass formed by volcanoes, found embedded in a skull. The victims would have been hunter-gatherers, and may have been a rival group to whomever instigated the attack. Likewise, the attack could have been over resources like food or water.

In total, the remains show that half a dozen kids and 21 adults perished. No teenagers were found, but it isn't clear whether they weren't present, managed to escape, or were taken as captives. Ultimately, researchers say finding an attack like this among hunter-gatherers is "totally surprising," and hints that humans may have started engaging in deliberate warfare much earlier than anticipated.

VIA: Washington Post