Both sides of one of the arrowheads analysed. The left-hand image shows the organic remains in which the arrowhead residues were identified. Credit: Marlize Lombard.

Researchers have identified the world’s oldest arrow poison with 60,000-year-old traces revealing early advanced hunting techniques.

Traces of plant poison from the South African plant gifbol on Stone Age arrowheads – the oldest known arrow poison in the world to date – have been identified.

The discovery shows that 60,000 years ago, people in southern Africa had already developed advanced knowledge of toxic substances and how they could be used for hunting.

The chemical residues found on the quartz arrowheads from Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, comes from the poisonous gifbol plant and is still used by traditional hunters in the region.

Professor Sven Isaksson of the Archaeological Research Laboratory, Stockholm University, is an expert in the analysis of organic residues in archaeological materials, and carried out the chemical analyses. He said: “This is the result of a long and close collaboration between researchers in South Africa and Sweden.

“Being able to identify the world’s oldest arrow poison together has been a complex undertaking and is incredibly encouraging for continued research.”

Professor Marlize Lombard, a researcher at the Palaeo-Research Institute at the University of Johannesburg, said: “This is the oldest direct evidence that humans used arrow poison.

“It shows that our ancestors in southern Africa not only invented the bow and arrow much earlier than previously thought, but also understood how to use nature’s chemistry to increase hunting efficiency.”

Oldest evidence of arrow poison

Chemical analyses revealed the presence of the alkaloids buphanidrine and epibuphanisine, substances found in the plant Boophone disticha – also known as gifbol (ie poisonous onion).

The plant has long been known among local hunters for its highly toxic properties.

Similar substances were also found on 250-year-old arrowheads in Swedish collections, which were collected by travellers during the 18th century.

The fact that the same plant poison was used in both historical and prehistoric times indicates a long continuity of knowledge and tradition.

Isaksson said: “Finding traces of the same poison on both prehistoric and historical arrowheads was crucial.

“By carefully studying the chemical structure of the substances and thus drawing conclusions about their properties, we were able to determine that these particular substances are stable enough to survive this long in the ground.

“It’s also fascinating that people had such a deep and long-standing understanding of the use of plants.”

Advanced planning abilities

Previously, indirect traces of poison have been used to interpret hunting practices, but the findings from Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter constitute the first direct evidence of hunting with poisoned arrows.

The study shows that these early hunters not only had technical skills but also advanced planning abilities and an understanding of how poisons work over time – characteristics that reflect modern human cognition.

Professor Anders Högberg at the Department of Cultural Sciences, Linnaeus University, said: “Using arrow poison requires planning, patience and an understanding of cause and effect.

“It is a clear sign of advanced thinking in early humans.”

The study is published in Science Advances.