This paper presents a detailed analysis of a unique pointy bone artefact produced by Neanderthals, which was found in 2003 in a Middle Paleolithic layer dated c. 80–70 ka at Mezmaiskaya Cave in the Caucasus. The definition and interpretation of anthropic traces related to technological modifications and functional use of the bone tool were analyzed using stereoscopic and metallographic microscopes, high-resolution digital microscopy, and microfocus computed tomography. Research of a bitumen residue preserved on the specimen was done using Fourier-transform infrared microscopy and spectroscopy, and crystal-optical microscopy. Based on the totality of analytical and comparative data we interpret the artefact as the tip of a hunting weapon that was likely mounted on a shaft made from wood. Several lines of evidence suggest its short use as a bone-tipped hunting projectile. The results suggest an independent invention of bone-tipped hunting weapons by Neanderthals in Europe long before the arrival of Upper Paleolithic modern humans to the continent, and also show that the production technology of bone-tipped hunting weapons used by Neanderthals was in the nascent level in comparison to those used and introduced to Eurasia by modern humans.

中文翻译：

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关于欧洲骨尖狩猎武器的 Mousterian 起源：来自北高加索 Mezmaiskaya 洞穴的证据


本文详细分析了尼安德特人制作的独特尖骨文物，该文物于 2003 年在高加索地区的 Mezmaiskaya 洞穴发现，年代为 80-70 ka 左右。使用立体和金相显微镜、高分辨率数字显微镜和微焦点计算机断层扫描分析与骨骼工具的技术修改和功能使用相关的人为痕迹的定义和解释。使用傅里叶变换红外显微镜和光谱学以及晶体光学显微镜对试样上保留的沥青残留物进行研究。根据全部分析和比较数据，我们将文物解释为狩猎武器的尖端，它可能安装在木头制成的轴上。几条证据表明它短暂用作骨尖狩猎弹丸。结果表明，早在旧石器时代晚期现代人抵达欧洲大陆之前，尼安德特人就已经在欧洲独立发明了骨尖狩猎武器，也表明尼安德特人使用的骨尖狩猎武器的生产技术与现代人使用并引入欧亚大陆的武器相比处于起步阶段。