For decades, a remarkable archaeological find in Germany lay largely forgotten: the skeleton of a straight-tusked elephant, dating back 125,000 years, with a remarkably preserved wooden spear lodged between its ribs. Recent analysis has finally confirmed what many suspected—this was no accident. The spear was deliberately thrust into the animal by Neanderthals, proving they were skilled big-game hunters, not just scavengers.
The Forgotten Discovery
The bones were first unearthed in 1948 near Lehringen, a small German village. The spear, a 2.3-meter yew lance, was the oldest complete spear ever found at the time. However, the initial excavation was chaotic. The local school principal and amateur archaeologist, Alexander Rosenbrock, oversaw the dig with limited resources, and some bones were stolen before proper documentation could be done.
For years, the site’s significance was overshadowed by bureaucracy and a seven-year legal battle over ownership. Rosenbrock eventually won the right to keep the finds in his local museum, contributing to their obscurity. He died before publishing his findings, leaving the mystery unsolved.
Doubts and Rediscovery
Over the next 75 years, doubts crept in. Was the spear and elephant simply found together by chance? Two separate examinations of the bones failed to find clear evidence of butchery marks. The site remained under scrutiny, but without definitive proof, the narrative of a deliberate hunt remained unconfirmed.
In 2025, Ivo Verheijen, an expert at the Schöningen Research Museum, revisited the Lehringen finds. What began as a small project quickly expanded when he discovered a “truckload” of forgotten boxes in the museum attic. Inside were not only bones but also Rosenbrock’s original notes, taken up by his daughter Waltraut Deibel-Rosenbrock, providing a crucial link to the original excavation.
Definitive Proof of a Neanderthal Hunt
Verheijen’s team quickly found clear cut marks on the elephant’s bones, revealing that the animal was butchered both externally and internally. The elephant, a prime male standing over 3.5 meters tall, died at around 30 years old. This suggests the Neanderthals targeted a solitary animal, making it easier to hunt.
The team also found evidence that the Neanderthals harvested organs from the elephant while it was still fresh, indicating the spear strike was likely fatal and the weapon’s presence wasn’t coincidental. The site contained additional bones from bears, beavers, and aurochs, all bearing butchery marks, suggesting a routine hunting practice.
The Neanderthals likely followed the injured elephant to the lakeside, where it collapsed, crushing one spear beneath its weight. This detailed scene paints a vivid picture of their hunting methods.
Significance and Future Research
The Lehringen site is one of the most important Neanderthal locations in Germany. Despite being overlooked for decades, it now offers one of the most complete and detailed glimpses into Neanderthal hunting practices ever discovered. The team plans to re-examine the spear itself, further illuminating this remarkable moment in human history.
The rediscovery of Lehringen underscores the importance of preserving archaeological sites and revisiting forgotten discoveries with modern analytical techniques. This project has finally given the Neanderthals the hunting legacy they deserved.
