The spear tip was found back in 2003 in a sediment layer in a cave in the North Caucasus, Russia, along with a host of bones from a variety of animals, and also the remnants of a campfire. It was only recently that the spear tip was fully examined.

The research team used spectroscopy, computed tomography, and other microscopy techniques and were able to ascertain that the spear tip (which was 9 cm long) had been made from the bone of an animal, likely a bison. It had also been attached to a wooden shaft using a type of tar.

The team was also able to date the spear back to between 80,000 and 70,000 years ago. This predates the arrival of modern humans in Europe (approximately 45,000 years ago), leaving Neanderthals as the likely makers of the spear tip.

Further study of the spear tip showed that it had been shaped using stone tools, and that it had been used either in battle or for hunting—there were cracks showing it had struck something very hard. There were also no signs of long use, which the team suggests means it had likely been used successfully shortly after it was made.