Documentary overview

About The Schöningen Spears | The Oldest Weapons in Human History?

Are these some of the earliest weapons in human history? History Hit’s Tristan Hughes speaks to Dr Annemieke Milks, Researcher at the University of Reading, about the significance of the Schöningen spears. These wooden spears prove that early humans, including Neanderthals, were hunting and interacting in complex social groups 300,000 years ago. The Schöningen spears are a set of ten wooden weapons from the Palaeolithic Age, excavated between 1994 and 1999 from the 'Spear Horizon' in the open-cast lignite mine in Schöningen, Germany. The spears are the oldest hunting weapons ever discovered and were found together with animal bones and stone and bone tools, providing proof early human ancestors were much closer to modern humans in both complex social structure and technical ability than previously thought. Dr Milks shows Tristan how these spears were built and the range of possibilities for how they were used. Wooden spears survived as a technology for hundreds of thousands of years, suggesting they were used effectively by hunters throughout human history.

The Schöningen Spears | The Oldest Weapons in Human History? is presented by History Hit. Its listed runtime is 29 minutes. The source link and publisher attribution are provided with the embedded film.

As a history documentary, The Schöningen Spears | The Oldest Weapons in Human History? uses schöningen, spears, oldest as its central frame. Historical documentaries interpret surviving evidence rather than simply replaying the past. Watch how archives, archaeology, expert interpretation and first-hand records are used, and note where uncertainty or competing explanations remain.

Viewing context

What to consider before watching

  1. What evidence, testimony or observation does the film use to explain schöningen, spears, oldest?
  2. Which people, institutions or historical conditions most influence the story told in The Schöningen Spears | The Oldest Weapons in Human History??
  3. How does History Hit's framing affect the documentary's emphasis, and which perspectives may deserve further research?
Subjects

Topics covered in this documentary

Historyschöningenspearsoldestweaponshuman
Film information

Documentary details and original source

Title
The Schöningen Spears | The Oldest Weapons in Human History?
Category
History
Runtime
29 minutes
Language
English
Publisher
History Hit

Free Documentary Vault provides independent discovery, organization and editorial context. The film remains hosted by its original publisher, who controls availability and playback.

Continue exploring
Ancient Skeletons Reveal Secrets of Britain’s Most Spectacular Hillfort documentary thumbnailEN27 min
Ancient Skeletons Reveal Secrets of Britain’s Most Spectacular Hillfort

Join 'The Ancients' host Tristan Hughes in a captivating exploration of Maiden Castle, an ancient hillfort steeped in mystery. In this video, Tristan is joined by archaeologist Dr. Miles Russell for a fascinating interview that takes us deep into the heart of this enigmatic structure. Located in Dorset, England, Maiden Castle stands as a testament to the ingenuity of our ancestors. Tristan and Miles guide us through its intricate ramparts, labyrinthine passageways, and awe-inspiring views, unveiling a captivating history that has puzzled scholars for centuries. Through Tristan's expert analysis and Miles' archaeological expertise, they uncover the origins and evolution of Maiden Castle, gaining insights into its purpose and strategic significance and discover more about the daily lives of its inhabitants, their rituals, and their struggles against external threats as they navigate the fortification's remarkable features.

History Hit

Ancient Skeletons Reveal Secrets of Britain’s Most Spectacular Hillfort

27 minHistory
Solving the Ancient Mystery of Knossos and the Minotaur documentary thumbnailEN27 min
Solving the Ancient Mystery of Knossos and the Minotaur

Unravelling the Mystery of Knossos and the Minotaur' The legend of the Minotaur and its labyrinth has captivated us for centuries, but is there any evidence of it really existing? History Hit presenter Tristan Hughes visits the Ashmolean museum in Oxford to interview Dr. Andrew Shapland, the curator of a new exhibition exploring the Bronze Age settlement of Knossos in Crete - the home of the mythical King Minos, the Minotaur and the labyrinth. Together they explore ancient artefacts that hint at human sacrifices being carried out, and find out through archaeological evidence if there is any truth behind the myths.

History Hit

Solving the Ancient Mystery of Knossos and the Minotaur

27 minHistory
The Archaeological Discovery of Petra: The Hidden City documentary thumbnailEN48 min
The Archaeological Discovery of Petra: The Hidden City

Journey inside Petra's ancient city in this brand NEW history documentary. History Hit’s Tristan Hughes travels to the magnificent ancient wonder of Petra - a once thriving city now abandoned in the middle of the desert. From advanced engineering to beautiful rock cut tombs, we uncover the reality of Petra and the fascinating civilisation that built it, the Nabataeans. You can now become a History Hit member right here on the original video platform! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world-renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more.

History Hit

The Archaeological Discovery of Petra: The Hidden City

48 minHistory
The Deadliest Epidemics In Human History | Desperate Hours documentary thumbnailEN26 min
The Deadliest Epidemics In Human History | Desperate Hours

The Deadliest Epidemics In Human History | Desperate Hours examines the specific people, events and evidence presented in this documentary. Desperate Hours looks at some of the major epidemics throughout recent history. We look at the Ebola outbreak in Sudan, the Smallpox outbreak in Bihar, the African Cholera outbreak, the SARS outbreak in Guanghzhou China, and the Bird Flu of Hong Kong. Desperate hours focuses on a different natural disaster each week and shows us the horrific power that the earth has. From volcanic eruptions burying cities in ash, to unfathomable tsunami's washing away all signs of life. WONDER is packed with binge worthy reality documentaries for hours of entertainment. Check out our hub of diverse and empowering stories which explore the extreme side of life!

Wonder

The Deadliest Epidemics In Human History | Desperate Hours

26 minHistory
The Deadly Weapons That Changed History | With Jonathan Ferguson documentary thumbnailEN94 min
The Deadly Weapons That Changed History | With Jonathan Ferguson

History Hit teams up with Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms & Artillery at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, to test out the firearms that changed the course of history. From the arquebus, a 16th century smoothbore matchlock and one of the earliest guns fired from the shoulder, to the devastatingly powerful First World War Vickers machine gun, we witness the frightening effects of these weapons. In the first episode of the series, History Hit presenters Louee Dessent and Luke Tomes head to the firing range in Leeds to test their accuracy with three British weapons: the arquebus, Brown Bess musket and Lee Enfield rifle (SMLE). Next up, it's a deep dive into the history of the Martini-Henry rifle and its precursors. This weapon was used by the British Army when the British Empire was at its height, famously featuring in the Boer War and Zulu Wars. Dan Snow then joins Jonathan to fire the Vickers machine gun - a weapon which proved so deadly during the trench warfare of the early 20th century. Finally, we head to the American Old

History Hit

The Deadly Weapons That Changed History | With Jonathan Ferguson

94 minHistory
We Explored Medieval Village Decimated By Plague documentary thumbnailEN23 min
We Explored Medieval Village Decimated By Plague

The English village with a deadly past. Join Historian Louise Quick as she explores Eyam village, the site of a devastating plague outbreak and uncovers the extraordinary sacrifice that earned it the name “The Plague Village.” Special thanks to Owen and the Eyam Museum. To find out more and plan your own trip more information can be found here: You can now become a History Hit member right here on the original video platform! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world-renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more.

History Hit

We Explored Medieval Village Decimated By Plague

23 minHistory