Bow and arrow
Archaeologists have uncovered likely arrowheads in South African sites such as Sibudu Cave. These artifacts date from approximately 72,000 to 60,000 years ago. This evidence suggests humans used bows and arrows for hunting long before recorded history began. Small stone points found in the Grotte Mandrin of Southern France show damage indicating use as projectile weapons. These fragments are less than 10mm across at their base. They were discovered alongside remains suggesting early modern humans left Africa around 54,000 years ago. In Fa Hien Cave in Sri Lanka, probable arrowheads dated to 48,000 years ago appeared in 2020. Remains of monkeys and squirrels found in the same sediment indicate these tools targeted small game. The oldest extant bows in one piece are the elm Holmegaard bows from Denmark. These specific bows were dated to 9,000 BCE. Several other bows from that same Danish site date back 8,000 years.
The bow served as a primary weapon for both hunting and warfare until gunpowder became widespread in the 16th century. Greek poet Archilocus expressed scorn for fighting with bows and slings during ancient times. Nubian archers gained renown in ancient Egypt and beyond for their skill. Their mastery earned their land the name Ta-Seti, meaning Land of the Bow. Persian kings adopted the bow as their national weapon, often depicted carrying it on coins. Beginning with William the Conqueror, the longbow became England's principal weapon of war through the Middle Ages. Genghis Khan and his Mongol hordes conquered much of the Eurasian steppe using short bows. Organized warfare with bows ended in Western Europe between the early and mid-17th centuries. However, this practice persisted into the 19th century in Eastern cultures including the New World. In the Canadian Arctic, bows remained in use until the end of the 20th century for hunting caribou at Igloolik. An example of tribal warfare involving bows was documented in 2009 in Kenya when Kisii people clashed with Kalenjin people.
A bow consists of a semi-rigid but elastic arc with a high-tensile bowstring joining the ends of two limbs. When an archer pulls the string backwards, they exert compression force on the belly of the limbs. This action places the outer section or back under tension while storing energy. The force required to hold the string stationary at full draw is known as its draw weight. Higher draw weights mean more powerful bows capable of projecting heavier arrows at greater velocity. The maximum distance the string could be displaced determines the longest arrow that could be loosed from it. This measurement is called the bow's draw length and depends on the size of the archer. While maintaining the draw, the archer aims intuitively or by sighting along the arrow. Releasing the draw allows the limbs' stored energy to convert into kinetic energy transmitted via the bowstring. This process propels the arrow forward with high velocity. The distance a bow can shoot is called its cast.
Traditional self bows such as the English longbow are made of a single piece of wood comprising both limbs and the grip. Modern construction materials include laminated wood, fiberglass, metals, and carbon fiber components. A composite bow uses a combination of materials to create the limbs for specialized functions. Classic composite bows use wood for lightness and dimensional stability in the core. They incorporate horn to store compression energy and sinew for its ability to store energy in tension. Such Asian bows often feature a stiff end on the limb having the effect of a recurve. This specific part is known by the Arabic name siyah. Bowstrings have been constructed of many materials throughout history including flax, silk, and hemp fibers. Other historical materials included animal guts, animal sinews, and rawhide. Modern commercial bowstring construction now utilizes Dacron or Kevlar fibers alongside steel wires in some compound bows. Nylon remains useful only in emergency situations because it stretches too much under load.
Bows may be described by various characteristics including the shape of the limb in cross-section. A straight bow appears approximately straight in side-view profile despite minor curves in natural wood. Recurve bows feature tips curving away from the archer that add extra velocity upon release. Reflex bows curve entirely away from the archer when unstrung with opposite flexion during drawing. Longbows are self bows with limbs rounded in cross-section about the same height as the archer. The traditional English longbow was made of yew wood but other woods are also used today. Flatbow designs have limbs approximately rectangular in cross-section found traditionally in Native American societies. Compound bows utilize mechanical amplifiers to aid with drawing the bowstring. These amplifiers are asymmetric pulleys called cams at the ends of the limbs providing a mechanical advantage known as the let-off. Crossbows mount a bow horizontally on a frame similar to a firearm stock with a locking mechanism for holding the string. Footbows are meant to be used with legs and arms while lying down for distance records.
The British upper class initiated a revival of archery as a sport in the late 18th century. Sir Ashton Lever formed the Toxophilite Society in London in 1781 under the patronage of George IV. Today, bows and arrows are mostly used for hunting and sports rather than warfare. Archery is the art, practice, or skill of using bows to shoot arrows. A person who shoots arrows with a bow is called a bowman or an archer. Someone who makes bows is known as a bowyer while someone who makes arrows is a fletcher. Modern special forces use bows and arrows for survival and clandestine operations. The Worshipful Company of Fletchers continues to preserve traditional craftsmanship standards. Organized competition has evolved from these early 18th-century societies into global athletics today.
Common questions
When were the oldest known arrowheads discovered in South Africa?
Archaeologists uncovered likely arrowheads in South African sites such as Sibudu Cave dating from approximately 72,000 to 60,000 years ago. These artifacts suggest humans used bows and arrows for hunting long before recorded history began.
What is the age of the oldest extant bow found in Denmark?
The elm Holmegaard bows from Denmark are dated to 9,000 BCE and represent the oldest extant bows in one piece. Several other bows from that same Danish site date back 8,000 years.
How did the use of bows end in Western Europe compared to Eastern cultures?
Organized warfare with bows ended in Western Europe between the early and mid-17th centuries after gunpowder became widespread in the 16th century. This practice persisted into the 19th century in Eastern cultures including the New World and remained in use until the end of the 20th century in the Canadian Arctic for hunting caribou at Igloolik.
Which materials compose a traditional composite bow?
Classic composite bows use wood for lightness and dimensional stability in the core while incorporating horn to store compression energy and sinew for its ability to store energy in tension. Such Asian bows often feature a stiff end on the limb known by the Arabic name siyah.
When was the Toxophilite Society formed to revive archery as a sport?
Sir Ashton Lever formed the Toxophilite Society in London in 1781 under the patronage of George IV. The British upper class initiated this revival of archery as a sport in the late 18th century which evolved into global athletics today.