News Archaeology

Homo sapiens may have brought archery to Europe about 54,000 years ago

Small stone points could have felled prey only as tips of arrows shot from bows, scientists say

A closeup photo of a small semi-transparent stone in the shape of an arrowhead held between a person's index finger and thumb.

Small stone points such as this one, unearthed at a French rock-shelter, served as arrowheads for Homo sapiens who introduced archery to Europe around 54,000 years ago, researchers say.

Philippe Psaila

By Bruce Bower

Homo sapiens who reached Europe around 54,000 years ago introduced bows and arrows to that continent, a new study suggests.