European Neanderthal stone hunting weapons reveal complex behaviour long before the appearance of modern humans

► Use-wear analysis was performed in lithic points from several sites in Atlantic Europe. ► Stone hunting weapons use were recurrent in ancient Neandertals societies, from OIS 6. ► Stone weaponry is related with a complex technical and socioeconomic system. ► This is a European Neandertals innovation, independent of the spread of Homo sapiens.