The history of archery is an interesting journey
The earliest evidence of archery dates back to as early as 50,000 BC. With the discovery of stone arrowheads in Africa. Prehistoric archery's earliest bows can only be guessed at due to the materials used in make these primitive weapons would have most likely been wood or similar materials that would have long since bio-degraded or possible even burned in a camp fire after it had broken or worn out and was much more valuable as fuel then a tool. 25,000 - 18,000BC During this period in the history of archery the use of fire hardened point were being used on arrows along with flint shaped into sharp points and attached to a slot made in the front of an arrow and tied with sinew. Feathers were glued and tied with sinew to the back of arrows by this point in archery history. 18,000 - 9,000BC A skeleton was found in a burial tomb in San Teodoro Cave, Sicily has a fragment of a flint arrow head embedded in the pelvis dates back to 11,000BC Arrows dating back to approx. 9,000BC are found in Germany. 9,000 - 6,000 BC one piece bows made from yew or elm that are "tillered" (equal bend on top and bottom limb) are found in Denmark and date back to approx. 8,000 - 6,000 BC. 6,000 - 3,000 BC 5,000 BC The Egyptians are using bows for hunting as well as a military weapon. 3,300 BC a 45 yr. old man dies on a Glacier in the Alps near the border of Italy and Austria. On September 11, 1991 his amazingly preserved remains are discovered. "Oetzi" as he is called by researchers is an incredibly interesting find, he is found with various clothing, tools and and weapons, most notably for us, as it applies the history of archery, a quiver containing 14 arrows. His quiver had a flap on it to keep the feathers dry on the arrows. The wooden arrows were fitted with flint arrowheads. Some of his arrows were shorter than the others, thread was used to tie on the feathers, The other arrows were longer why he had two different lengths of arrows is unknown. Researchers also discover a flint arrowhead embedded in his left shoulder. He had been shot in the back with an arrow not long before he died.
For more on this fantastic story please see the BBC Horizon TV documentary "Ice Mummies". Also you can check out
Primitive Archer Magazine.
2,800 BC The first Composite bows in the history of archery appear. It is made of wood and animal horn, it is held together with glue and animal sinew. It required two people to string it. The bow string was made of "catgut" from sheep intestine. The extremely light arrows made from reeds could be shot 400 yards and the armor of the day offered no protection. 2,500 BC the Akkadians using infantry archers conquered the Sumerians. The first mention of a crossbow in Chinese history of archery was around 1,500 BC 1,200 - 700 BC Chinese nobility of the time attend special schools where they were taught archery, music, mathematics and writing. 1,000 BC - 400 AD 490 BC In the "Battle of Marathon", Athenian infantry of 11,000 men defeat Persian archers after a rapid charge to avoid the shower of arrows. The Persian army of 15,000 men were flanked by the Athenians and lost 6,400 men while retreating back to their ships. The Athenians only lost 192 men. According to legend, an Athenian messenger was sent, on foot, from Marathon to Athens, a distance of about 25 miles, where he announced the Persian defeat before dying of exhaustion. 360 BC - Macedonian - archers on horseback are used to support other cavalry troops. 250 BC - Parthians were excellent horsemen and archers. In battle they would often shoot their arrows back towards the enemy while pretending to flee.This could be where the phrase "a Parthian Shot" became today's phrase "a Parting Shot". 288 AD Sebastian, is a commandor of a company of the Preatorian Guard for the Roman Emperor, Diocletian. After his secret belief in Christianity was revealed and he refused to renounce his faith. The emperor ordered him to be bound to a stake and shot to death with arrows. After several arrows he was left for dead, but a friend discovered he was still alive. Later he proclaimed his Faith from the steps of the Emperor's Palace.The guards were ordered to beat him to death with clubs and throw his body into the sewer. His body was recovered by friends and buried in the catacombs. 376 AD The Pope, St. Damascus, built a Basilica over Sebastian's tomb which is now one of the seven principal churches in Rome. Now St. Sebastian is the Patron Saint of Archers. To continue up through the ages of the history of archery
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