What's the oldest weapon in the world?
Archaeologists are investigating the origins of the world's oldest weapons, highlighting the 400,000-year-old Clacton spear point. The article discusses how experts define weapons based on context, intent, and physical evidence.
Why it matters
Understanding the evolution of weaponry provides critical insight into early human behavior and the development of interpersonal conflict.
There are a few contenders for the world's oldest weapon, and one is over 400,000 years old.
By Isabel Gil Published 19 July 2026 In Features When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works .
The Clacton spear point, made from yew wood, is the top part of a longer spear that was crafted more than 400,000 years ago. (Image credit: Annemieke Milks) Copy link Facebook X Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Nowadays, the word "weapon" may evoke modern-day technologies such as firearms, blades and missiles. Yet archaeological evidence shows that weapons have existed for hundreds of thousands of years. Of course, early humans wielded weapons that looked quite different from those used today.
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