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Ancient Archery History
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Prehistoric Archery
The standard design of the arrow had a slot cut in the shaft (perpendicular to the grain to prevent splitting. The head was then inserted and lashed down usually with sinew other designs had notches cut in the arrowhead to help tie it on better. The original pieces were relatively flat, generally oval and coming to a point. The first metal arrowheads pattern was continued with the creation of the familiar triangular arrowhead still attached in the same way. Other ways of attaching the arrowhead used pins through the shaft (creates a fracture point), with and with out side pieces on the tip of the shaft. Later a hollow cylinder which fit over the shaft was glued there.

Palaeolithic (35,000 - 8,000 B.C.)
Bows may have developed simultaneously in a number of different locations. Originally, it was a hunting weapon with a very weak pull. The arrows had fire hardened points and flint arrowheads were used developed at the same time as the atl-atl, spear thrower

9,000 B.C.
Arrow shafts found in Germany

6,000 B.C.
The first actual bow was discovered - one piece yew or elm

8,000 - 3,200 B.C.
bows found in Denmark are now tillered, even bend on top and bottom limbs of bow

2500 B.C.
The Akkadians conquered Sumeria with infantry archers

1500-1027 B.C.
First mention of crossbows in China (Shan dynasty) although they didn't come into common use until the Han dynasty (206 B.C. - 220 A.D.) where they were used in the guarding of the Great Wall 190 - 380 lbs

1200-700 B.C.
The Assyrians protected their archers - archers shot from chariots with the charioteer holding a shield to protect the archer three types of archers - light, medium and heavy ranging from no to mail armour with the last class also having swords. had some mounted archers but never really adapted the bow for it

550 B.C.
Persian archer infantry used reflex and probably a composite bow with long ears at Marathon. However, the Persians were caught between forces of Greek infantry on each flank. The Greek spearman just kept coming against the archers. The archers were surrounded. The result was six thousand Persian dead compared to several hundred Greek.

360 B.C.
Philip of Macedon and Alexander the Great used archers as support for heavy cavalry - light cavalry bowmen and infantry bowmen formed 25-50% of army use of mobility and counter missiles to counteract the effect of the bow

260 B.C.
Hannibal used mounted archers and heavy and light used archers to decimate his opponents before sending in his infantry . Only 3,000 of 79,000 Romans escaped the slaughter at Cannae. It was the biggest military disaster in Roman history.

53 B.C.
Parthian mounted archers slaughtered the Roam infantry under Crassus at the battle of Carrhae. They used a compound bow. Each archer carried 60-80 arrows and were resupplied by camel trains of arrows. The Romans lost 23,000 killed, 10,000 captured from mobile tactics. The Persians never closed with the Legions.

The Parthian general was killed on his return by a jealous king. The Parthians tried invading Rome, but while they had some success, they weren't as good against fortifications. Rome invaded Parthia again. The Parthians returned to their hit and run tactics killing 35,000 Romans. Rome eventually paid off Parthia as they controlled the silk road to China

432 A.D.
The Huns were horse archers - Rome paid them off Attila - hostage in Rome when Huns were allies when he gained control he started to switch to Roman tactics - heavily armed troops with horse archers as auxiliary unit Huns were smaller and at a disadvantage in hand-to-hand combat and they didn't have temperament for siege or city battles greatest defeat came when he didn't allow archers mobility which made them useful and the Romans closed in after Attila died the huns reverted

Rome never learned anything from these battles - they maintained the same army composition and tactics. They did have some archers and cavalry in later years (bows added during reign of Leo I around the time of Attila). However, these were almost always mercenaries. The Huns survived by ability to field huge armies and lots of replacements 5 000 000 citizens of military age (85 000 000 population 1 A.D.)

500-900 A.D
The Byzantine used mounted archers followed by cavalry charge to take out Saracen bowmen. The Vandals, Goths, Franks and Huns all used mounted archers. When th switched foot-archers I 900 A,D, they were eventually defeated by Turkish light horse archers

Our Motto
"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not."
Thomas Jefferson

Nascar Directory Nascar is the most popular and exciting car racing sport in the world. Nacar is the essence of stock Car Racing. Nascar tracks and races are all approved and conducted to the highest standards. It offers the rare opportunity to enjoy the exciting sport of stock car racing that is safe and regulated so there is minimal danger and maximum emphasis on skill. Click on the picture to learn more.

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