Among the specific forensic details reported in the Antiquity paper, the evidence from the shoulder blades — the scapulae — deserves attention alongside the skull and long bone evidence.

Individual 1’s shoulder blades showed bilateral fractures at the base of the scapular spines — breakages occurring in essentially symmetrical positions on both the left and right scapulae.

The researchers characterized these fractures as perimortem — occurring around the time of death, when the bone was still fresh rather than dried and brittle.

The bilateral symmetry of the fractures, occurring in almost the same location on both shoulder blades, is not consistent with accidental trauma and suggests deliberate action.

What the purpose of these bilateral scapular fractures might have been is not clear from the evidence.