Large-scale warfare occurred in Europe ‘1,000 years earlier than previously thought’

Reanalysis of skeletal remains in Spain suggests conflicts took place about 5,000 years ago in neolithic period, say researchers

The earliest period of warfare in Europe might have occurred more than 1,000 years before what was previously thought to be the first large-scale conflict in the region, researchers have suggested.

Reanalysis of more than 300 sets of skeletal remains uncovered in Spain - radiocarbon dated to between 5,400 and 5,000 years ago - indicates that conflicts took place long before powerful states formed in the region.