poison

A fascinating archaeological discovery in South Africa has revealed that humans were using sophisticated poisoned arrows 60,000 years ago, far earlier than previously documented. Chemical analysis of ancient quartz arrowheads from Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter in KwaZulu-Natal has identified traces of gifbol plant toxins, demonstrating that early humans possessed remarkable knowledge of nature's deadly chemistry alongside advanced cognitive planning abilities. The discovery, published in the journal Science Advances, represents the oldest direct evidence of arrow poison use in human history. Researchers from South Africa and Sweden collaborated to analyze chemical residues on the prehistoric arrowheads, identifying alkaloids buphanidrine and epibuphanisine—toxic substances found exclusively in Boophone disticha, known locally as gifbol or "poisonous onion." This plant remains in use by traditional hunters