The idea of Neanderthals as knuckle-dragging brutes has been called into question in recent years, most notably with February’s revelation that they, and not humans, created the first cave paintings.

Now, with an analysis of prehistoric animal remains from Germany, we can deduce that Neanderthals were capable of sophisticated and collaborative hunting strategies.

Cut marks on the bones of two deer from 120,000 years ago provide the earliest evidence that weapons were used to stalk and kill prey.