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Nowadays more known for sporting purposes, the javelin or light spear originated along time ago
Seven spear like objects were found in a coal mine in Schöningen, Germany. Statigraphic dating indicated the weapons were about 400k old.

The javelin was an effective hunting weapon
Early hunter and gatherers used sharpened sticks, and at close range. They could take down deer, and faunal game.

The name probably originated from old french; or javelot from one of the celtic languages

As technologies progressed. A sling, bow, or cross bow was invented. It could help launch the javelin as a projectile

Spear throwers, atlatl, or other different names were also used
They provided an extra elbow joint, that could extend range and accuracy significantly.

Lasting that long, weapons like the Schöningen spears were strong
They were made of pine trunk; and were 6 and 7.4 feet long. Achieving maximum thickness and weight at the front end. It has been suggested these were ergonomically designed.

Boxglove, another prehistoric javelin or light spear site in the modern United Kingdom. Was another find. Humans, (or, homo errectus), used, and kept watch on the watering hole for wildlife
An archaeological dig here provided a horses shoulder blade, with projectile wound. Probably caused by a javelin. And, dated to hundreds of thousands of years ago.

Javelins were also used in the Ancient Olympics, and other Panhellenic games
They were hurled in a certain direction and whoever hurled it the farthest, tip first, won.

In 708 BC, the javelin was part of the ancient Greek pentathlon (discus, javelin, long jump, running, and wrestling)

Nearly dating 500 thousand years. Javelins go back, as both weapons, and prehistoric games. Check them out with some more neolithic architecture today.

Bibliography: Schmitt, U.; Singh, A. P.; Thieme, H.; Friedrich, P.; Hoffmann, P. (2005). “Electron microscopic characterization of cell wall degradation of the 400,000-year-old wooden Schöningen spears”. Holz als Roh- und Werkstoff. 63 (2): 118–122. doi:10.1007/s00107-004-0542-6. S2CID 10774765.

Rawlinson, George (1882). History of Ancient Egypt. S. E. Cassino. Pg. 474–475.

Anglim, Simon et al., (2003), Fighting Techniques of the Ancient World (3000 B.C. to 500 A.D.): Equipment, Combat Skills, and Tactics, Thomas Dunne Books.

Roach, N. T., Richmond, B. G., 2015. Biological anthropology papers on evolution of throwing (see review: “The Evolution of Throwing” literature; e.g., Roach et al., 2013/2014 work on throwing anatomy). — see review: Zaraska, M., “The Evolution of Throwing,” Sapiens, 2021.