Oldest Evidence of Multi-Component Arrow Poison Discovered in South Africa: A Breakthrough in Ancient Hunting Technology

In a groundbreaking study published on January 23, 2025, scientists revealed the oldest known evidence of a multi-component poison mix used in ancient hunting tools, uncovered in South Africa. This discovery, emerging from renewed investigations at the Kruger Cave site in the western Magaliesberg mountains, sheds new light on the sophistication of prehistoric pharmacological knowledge and hunting technologies.

The Discovery of the Bone Arrowheads

The story begins in 1983, when archaeologists unearthed an intriguing femur bone at Kruger Cave, an important archaeological site located just 1.5 hours from Johannesburg. The bone, belonging to an antelope, was found to be 7,000 years old, with three meticulously modified bone arrowheads placed within its marrow cavity. At the time, the bone and other findings were stored at the University of the Witwatersrand’s Archaeology Department, awaiting further investigation.

However, in 2022, a team of archaeologists, including Justin Bradfield, an expert from the University of Johannesburg, revisited the site. They sought to apply new techniques to further analyze the artefacts, suspecting that the femur contained more than just sediment and degraded marrow—potentially holding secrets of ancient hunting methods.

The Role of Modern Technology in the Discovery

Using modern micro-CT scanning technology, the researchers were able to generate high-resolution three-dimensional images of the femur. This technology, which utilizes thousands of X-rays to create detailed reconstructions of objects, revealed that the material surrounding the arrowheads was not ordinary archaeological sediment. Rather, it appeared to be foreign matter, potentially a mix of organic substances, suggesting that the femur had been intentionally filled with a complex concoction.

Further chemical analysis of this material uncovered an unexpected surprise: the presence of two highly toxic cardiac glycosides, digitoxin and strophanthidin. These compounds, known to disrupt heart function, are historically associated with poisons used in bow hunting. Additionally, ricinoleic acid was identified, which is a byproduct of the breakdown of ricin—a potent toxin found in castor beans.

The Oldest Confirmed Multi-Component Arrow Poison

This analysis revealed that the femur contained the world’s oldest confirmed mixture of plant toxins used specifically to poison arrowheads. The discovery is significant, as it offers insight into the complexity of ancient pharmacological knowledge. The combination of digitoxin, strophanthidin, and ricinoleic acid indicates that ancient people were blending different plant-based toxins to create a more effective hunting poison. This sophisticated recipe shows an advanced understanding of plant properties and the ability to manipulate natural substances to achieve specific outcomes.

Evidence of Trade and Long-Distance Plant Movement

Interestingly, none of the plants that contain digitoxin and strophanthidin are native to the Kruger Cave area. This suggests that the people who lived there either traveled long distances to acquire these plants or engaged in trade networks to obtain the necessary ingredients for their poisons. While it is known that certain goods, such as seashells, were traded across vast distances in Africa long before 7,000 years ago, the movement of non-domestic plants is a new revelation in this context. This suggests that ancient societies were not only knowledgeable about the properties of plants but were also capable of sourcing them from distant locations.

Implications for Ancient Knowledge and Cognitive Development

The discovery provides a fascinating glimpse into the cognitive capabilities of early humans. The ability to create a complex mixture of toxins implies that the people who made this poison had an advanced understanding of botany and chemistry. This knowledge extended beyond mere survival; it involved the creation of tools (in this case, poisons for hunting) that could be used to manipulate the environment in highly strategic ways.

In addition to being a technological advancement, the creation and use of poisons also reflects a deep cultural understanding of the natural world. The recipe may have been passed down through generations, integrating traditional pharmacology into the fabric of early societies.

Comparison with Other Ancient Poison Evidence

Although the use of poison in hunting dates back tens of thousands of years, this discovery is the oldest confirmed example of a multi-ingredient poison recipe. The earliest molecular evidence for poison use in southern Africa comes from a 24,000-year-old wooden spatula found at Border Cave, where traces of ricinoleic acid were detected. This was likely a single-component poison, unlike the complex mixture identified in Kruger Cave. Furthermore, other potential instances of arrow poisons have been found in 13,000-year-old deposits in Zanzibar, but no scientific testing was conducted to confirm the chemical composition of these substances.

In a more recent study, another team analyzed a 1,000-year-old arrow from Kruger Cave. While the results confirmed the presence of cardiac glycoside byproducts, the sample was more degraded than the 7,000-year-old femur, suggesting that the latter had been better preserved, possibly due to the protective properties of the bone container.

Conclusion

This discovery underscores the advanced level of understanding early humans had of their environment, particularly regarding the use of plants for medicinal and hunting purposes. The ability to create a potent mixture of toxins for hunting weapons indicates a high level of cultural and cognitive development, providing valuable insights into the complexity of life during the early stages of human history. Moreover, it highlights the potential of modern technologies, such as micro-CT scanning and chemical analysis, to unlock secrets hidden in ancient artefacts, offering a richer understanding of our past.

AR Managing Editor (2025). Oldest Evidence of Multi-Component Arrow Poison Discovered in South Africa: A Breakthrough in Ancient Hunting Technology. Retrieved from https://www.africanresearchers.org/oldest-evidence-of-multi-component-arrow-poison-discovered-in-south-africa-a-breakthrough-in-ancient-hunting-technology/