Discover the oldest 9,000-year-old spear in Europe

Recently, archaeologists have discovered a wooden spear dating back to 7,000 years BC in Bolków near the Świdwie lake in West Pomerania - Poland. This is the oldest spear in Europe ever discovered.

The spear is about 40cm long, 10cm wide, has a long paddle-like shape found deep underground about 1m in a 9,000-year-old shrine. According to the study, the spear is made of ash wood and is well preserved.

On the trunk of the spear there are carvings that show it is used by locals in the mysterious Mesolithic rituals in the middle stone age. The X-ray test results show different combinations of geometric and carved patterns of people and animals.

The image engraved on the spear can be a scene of a sacrificial ritual for the gods. There are also other pictures of settlements, animals, forest birds, and a string of characters that are said to be a charm.

The spear is used as a decorative tool and is considered a popular handicraft item in Mesolithic societies, the research team Professor Tadeusz Galiński said.

During previous excavations, archaeologists discovered a wooden incense burner used in the ritual to smoke to ward off evil spirits, wood pieces, bark, animal bones used for sacrifices of the magician.

In Bolków and other parts of Europe, archaeologists have discovered similar engravings on bone, amber, wood and stone objects. This proves that a rich belief system already exists in prehistoric societies.