Scientists at Acokanthera are testing ancient weapons for poisons . They believe paleolithic hunters used plant toxins up to 30,000 years ago . This would have made stone tipped spears and arrows more lethal to prey . Early tests on 4,000-year-old arrows from Egypt have shown signs of toxin . The team now hope to test the tips of older weapons for signs of poison .
Scientists at Cambridge University are testing ancient weapons for poisons . They believe paleolithic hunters used plant toxins up to 30,000 years ago . This would have made stone tipped spears and arrows more lethal to prey . Early tests on 4,000-year-old arrows from Egypt have shown signs of toxin . The team now hope to test the tips of older weapons for signs of poison .