Bow and Arrow

La balistica interna riguarda tutto ciò che avviene prima del rilascio della freccia; il processo balistico interno del sistema arco-freccia-arciere è quindi sinteticamente il meccanismo di conversione del lavoro muscolare dell’arciere in potenziale elastica dell’arco, piegato quindi dall’ azione biomeccanica. In termini fisici, è la misura della quantità di “energia “potenziale” immagazzinata e, in un certo qual modo, della sua “qualità
Per qualità possiamo intendere tutta la serie di indicatori che permettono di determinare “previsioni” sul funzionamento balistico dell’arma, desumibili dalle proprietà meccaniche del legno, dal disegno (geometria) dell’arco, e da quanto e come si comporta sotto lo stress della tensione. Non importa che un arco accumuli “molta” energia: è necessario che il processo di accumulazione di energia elastica potenziale sia graduale e comunque distribuito in modo tale da consentire un’agevole azione biomeccanica e, ovviamente, la più lunga durata all’arco sotto ogni condizione.

The present paper aims to analyse projectile points of the Late Bronze Age Noua-Sabatinovka-
Coslogeni cultural complex. They are produced mostly of bone and appear in large numbers in settlements,
far  less  in  hoards  or  graves.  Metrical  analysis  points  at  their  improved  efficiency  in  comparison  to
earlier  projectile  points  of flint;  several  groups  with  different  grades  of efficiency  can  be  distinguished.
Their utilisation in warfare in times with altered mobility can be presumed. Even if they are not part of
the depositional process like other weapons of bronze, and are neither deposited in graves, they seem to
constitute an important element in warfare. More mobile battle tactics, which may imply also the invention
of new forms of lighter bows, seem to become visible behind this find group.

SADAQSHILIQ: THE ART OF MAKING AND SHOOTING THE KAZAKH HORSEBOW
In Kazakhstan the art of archery existed from the prehistoric times, when the first areas of Andronovo culture started appearing at the territory of the republic. Since then the tides of horsebow nomadic nations passed here: the Sakis, Skythians, Huns, Ancient Turks, Kipshaks, Mongols, and finally the Kazakh tribes that fought the Dzhungars with their horsebows. This article consists of a review of the contemporary horse archery movement in the world, describes the history of the Kazakh horsebow origin, distinquishes two main types of horsebows, analyses the literature, and tells about anatomy and construction of the Kazakh horsebow, as well as its performances and usage methods.

CАДАҚШЫЛЫҚ – ҚАЗАҚ АТТЫ САДАҚ БУУ ЖӘНЕ АТУ ӨНЕРІ
Қазақстанда садақшылық өнері тарихтан бұрынғы замандардан-Андроново мәдениеттің алғашқы аймақтары республиканың аумағында туындау кезінде пайда болған. Сол уақыттан бері осы жерден бірталай атты садақты көшпенділер толқындары өтіп кетті: сақа-скифтер, хундар, көне түркілер, қыпшақтар, монғолдар, және ақырында жонғарлармен атты садақпен соғысатын қазақ тайпалары. Бұл мақаланың ішінде: заманауи әлемдегі атты садақшылық қозғалыстың шолуы, ғылыми әдебиетіның анализы, қазақ атты садақтың қайнар көзіңнің тарихы, атты садақтың екі түрлерін атап кетуі, олардың анатомиясын мен құрылымын және садақтың қолдалыну тәсілдері туралы анықтамасы бар екен.

САДАҚШЫЛЫҚ -ИСКУССТВО ИЗГОТОВЛЕНИЯ И СТРЕЛЬБЫ ИЗ КАЗАХСКОГО КОННОГО ЛУКА
В Казахстане традиция стрельбы из лука существовала с древнейших времен, когда первые очаги андроновской цивилизации возникли на территории нашей республики. С тех пор через казахстанские степи прошли целые пласты конно-лучных кочевых народов: скифы-саки, хунну, древние тюрки, кыпшаки, монголы, и наконец казахские племена, воевавшие с луками против джунгаров. В данном исследовании: обзор современного движения конных лучников в мире, история происхождения казахского лука, описание двух основных типов луков, анализ научной литературы литературы, справка о строении и анатомии, а также работе и методах использования казахского конного лука.

This thesis examines the development of bow-arrow technology in terms of modem evolutionary theory. Previous approaches that propose functional-adaptive technological trajectories are critiqued. Different theoretical approaches towards technology and associated units of analysis are examined. Behavioural ecology, evolutionary archaeology, and dual inheritance theory are shown to hold most promise for explaining trait-lineages in a given technological tradition. Previous approaches to bow-arrow technology are analysed, and an evolutionary archaeological methodology appropriate for examining lithic armatures is presented. Environment, historical contingency, selection, drift, population dynamics and social learning mechanisms are seen as key complex factors requiring case by case examination. An evolutionary case study with nine temporally, geographically, and culturally related stratigraphic phases containing a total of 3600 complete lithic armatures from the south Scandinavian middle Mesolithic (c. 6600-5400 BC) is presented. The phases are described in terms of associated fine-grained archaeological data and previous interpretations. A Bayesian chronological framework is constructed for the case study, using modelling facilities in the OxCal calibration package. This method time-steps and calculates relative occupation durations of point bearing phases in terms of available archaeological and radiometric data. The chronological model covers the culture-historical periods termed Blak, Kongemose and Early Ertebolle phases. The validity of previous typological interpretations of projectile point sequences is questioned in light of these results. The nine time-stepped lithic armature assemblages are then analysed to describe inter- and intra-site point trait variation. A linked series of descriptive and multivariate statistical techniques identify key morphological attributes that summarise trait variation within and between phases. Variation is graphically represented and related to different social learning populations, reduction strategies, and engineering constraints. A remarkably long-term homogenous pattern of complex projectile point manufacture is found for the Kongemose phases, compared to the temporally bracketing Blak and Ertebolle phases. Faunal, climatic, and population level factors are then modelled to account for variation and stability of the case study's armature traits. Faunal data from the Tagerup and Segebro sites, spanning the case study period, are examined for possible diet breadth changes, in relation to point-trait variation. No functional relationship is found between point-shape and potential target-prey. A population model is then constructed in OxCal using all published south Scandinavian radiometric data from the final Maglemose to the final Ertebolle cultural phases. A simple model of landmass reduction, forestation cover and mammalian population density levels demonstrates reduced land mass alone would not significantly affect human population levels - even with relatively high human population densities. Holocene 5180 and A14C data is used as a proxy for contemporaneous climatic fluctuations. These proxies are plotted and superimposed onto the population graph. A correlation between climate change, population fluctuation, and projectile point technology is found. As changes in point morphology and lithic reduction strategies coincide with apparent regional drops in population, drift processes may account for some variation in point-shape.

SUMMARY
This thesis shall identify the date origin of the composite bow within Mesopotamia and Elam. and both identify and quantify the design factors which lead to increased performance possible with composite construction. To accomplish this, the thesis begins by summarizing the problems and flaws that currently exist in the field of history as it applies specifically to archery and bow use. With problems identified, the thesis will then introduce the reader to the basics of bow mechanics, thereby laying the basis for physical testing. This in turn will empirically demonstrate flaws in the current iconographical method of bow identification. The thesis will then devise a new method for iconographic identification of composite construction that has greater proven accuracy, based upon proportional length, which will link extant artifacts with both physical test results and iconographic evidence.

The reader shall then be led through a complete reevaluation of iconographical evidence for Mesopotamia and Elam starting at the beginning of the second millennium BCE and working backwards using this new method of iconographic evaluation to determine the point at which composite bow technology first appears in the ancient Near East. The thesis will finish with an overview of the above accomplishments and their potential impact on the study of ancient and military history.

KEY TERMS
Ancient History, Military History, Archery, Bow, Composite, Experimental Archaeology, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Elam, Arrow

The topic of this article is the described episode from the Odyssey in which Odysseus, after his long wanderings around the world, returns to Ithaca where he confirms his identity by shooting with a bow and arrow through 12 axes planted into the ground. The goal of the study is to reveal the character and semiotics of this act. The analysis begins with a presentation of the female aspects of the axe and especially of the double axe i.e. the labrys as a woman and a goddess. This is followed by an analysis of the arguments that point to the symbolic identification of these tools with the female genitalia and specifically - the equation of their handle opening with the vulva and uterus. Sufficient attention is also dedicated to the multiplication of the axes, based on several archaeological finds, as well as the symbolism of the bow and arrow, with special emphasis on the traditions that represent them as a symbol of the male principle. At the end, based on all the separately analyzed elements, a thesis is presented and argued that in the given period the mentioned act functioned as a ritual in which the archer entered a symbolic coitus with the female deity represented through the double axes. This procedure bore the character of hierogamy through which the man confirmed his masculinity, his legitimacy as a husband, as a companion (impregnator and son) of the Great Goddess and as ruler of the given land.

Key words. – Odyssey, Odysseus, hierogamy, axe, double axe, labrys, bow and arrow.

This paper will discuss results from archery experiments, their impact on basic research and the new questions that present themselves in the field of the North Germanic military in the Late Roman Iron Age which was approximately 160–375 AD.
The starting point will be a series of experiments carried out in the late 1980s and 1990s. The results from these experiments will be compared with new examinations of the primary material from the southern Scandinavian weapon sacrifices, in order to point out and try to answer some of the questions that the experiments raise about North Germanic armies in particular and the Iron Age society in general.

The data from recent excavations in the Oman peninsula, especially in the Ja’alan and the Jebel Qara (Sultanate of
Oman) enable us better to refine certain cultural entities and to define new ones, to help determine the chronology of a part of the late prehistory of south-eastern Arabia. To begin with, the “empty quarter of the early Holocene” is half
full: “Fasad facies” characterizes one of the earliest Holocene hunter-gatherers occupation in Oman (8000–7500 BC).
Today we possess data from several stratified sites, enabling definition of two quite distinct Neolithic techno-facies,
which appear in succession: the trihedral points facies between 6500 and 4500 BC, and the facies of  the points with diamond-shaped section between 4500 and about 3800–3700 BC.

Contents
10TH AND 11TH CENTURY BURIAL SITES, STRAY FINDS AND TREASURES IN THE TRANSYLVANIAN BASIN, THE PARTIUM AND THE BANAT
IX.1. The geography of the Transylvanian Basin, the Partium and the Banat
IX.2. List of the 10th–11th century cemeteries, stray fi nds and treasures in the Transylvanian Basin, the Partium
and the Banat
IX.3. A historical review of the research of the cemeteries, stray finds and treasures of the 10th–11th centuries in the regions of the Transylvanian Basin, the Partium and the Banat
IX.4. The evaluation of the archaeological research of the 10th–11th centuries in archaeology IX.4.1. The evaluation of the Hungarian Conquest and its directions in Transylvania in the archaeological publications. The Hungarian Conquest and the concept of Hungarians in the archaeological publications
IX.4.2. Cemeteries: the remains of the Hungarian Conquest, opinions on the burial places in literature
IX.5. Analysis of the burial customs
IX.5.1. On the general characteristics of burial customs
IX.5.2. On the sizes of cemeteries
IX.5.3. The topographical location of the cemeteries
IX.5.4. Graves
IX.5.5. The problem of the continuation of 10th century burial rites into the 11th century
IX.5.6. Conclusions
IX.6. The analysis of the material culture of the 10th–11th century cemeteries, stray finds and treasures. The relative chronological system of the 10th–11th century cemeteries
IX.6.1. Elements of dress and/or of fashion
IX.6.2. Weapons
IX.6.3. Articles of personal use
IX.6.4. Horse equipment
IX.6.5. Pottery
IX.6.6. Coins
IX.7. The material culture of the 10th–11th century and the issues connected to continuity and discontinuity .
IX.8. The chronological system of the cemeteries, stray fi nds and treasures of the 10th–11th centuries. The issues connected to the relationship of the 9th–10th century horizons of the finds
IX.9. On the gender characteristics of inventories of the 10th‒11th century burials in short
IX.9.1. On child burials in short
IX.10. Conclusions
IX.10.1. The occupation of the territory. Populations in the 10th century Transylvania, Partium and Banat
IX.10.2. A social model as it is supposed: the 10th century „Hungarian” social model
IX.10.3. Possible military and political centers in the Transylvanian Basin, the Partium and the Banat.
Landscape, topography and hierarchy: the conquerors and the conquered
IX.10.4. ‘Border zones’ and crossroads
IX.10.5. The 10th–11th century cemetery types
IX.10.6. The quantities of (precious) metal in the cemeteries
IX.10.7. The issue of 10th–11th century graves and the spread of Christianity
IX.10.8. Conclusions

X.1. Rövidítés- és irodalomjegyzék
X.2. List of the fi gures and the plates
X.3. Képek és táblák forrásjegyzéke/Bibliography of the sources of the fi gures and the plates

This paper is dedicated to the find uncovered in a Roman well identified as a grave (G1 295) from the locality Pećine at Viminacium (Serbia). The object is made of animal bone and has a cylindrical body with a V shaped notch carved on the back end. The body continues in the form of a narrow and long pin with circular cross-section. The object was originally published as a tuning peg (key) for string instrument (lyre), however, the author concludes that it actually represents a piece of archery equipment, that is, a nock that was once implanted on the back of the arrow shaft made of reed. Based on the stratigraphy and other finds from the same layer, the bone nock from Viminacium, up to date the only such find in Serbia, is dated in the beginning of the 3rd century AD.

Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia (884/886 –1045/1064 ) was the second major kingdom in Armenian history. After being controlled by the Persians and Umayyad Arabs for centuries, the Royal House of Bagratid was finally able to secure their independence from the Arabs in the end of 9th century. Located between Byzantine Empire and the Muslim world, Armenia became an object of encroachment for these Empires but on the other hand Armenians accept different military tricks and inventions.
Our task is analyzed the shape and size of a bow as well as the structure of an arrow based on Armenian, Georgian, Bizantine and Arabo-Persian sources. The primary attention was paid to the reliefs from The Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Aghtamar Island (915–921, modern Turkey) where virtually the only image of the composite bow is located (hunter with composite bow). Note, that another relief of horse archer from this church was dated the 12th–14th c. and has Turk or Mongolic features, therefore we will not analyze it.
In order to describe a bow, the majority of Armenian historians used the word լայնալիճ (broad bow) which means that this weapon was long. There is an assumption that self-bows could also be used but the most popular (since Antiquity) was composite bow
In the Armenian consciousness of that time, a bow (as a weapon) was associated with Muslim (Arab–Persian–Turkish) world. It is interesting to note that archers were not often mentioned in written sources (only as garrison fortress or ship (on the lake Sevan) and as
auxiliary troops at battlefield). However, lack of horse archers in Armenian army was noticed in written sources.
The level of bow’s popularity among Armenian warriors was relatively not big. Attention was paid to the lack of dating problem, description and three-dimensional image of found arrows in the works of Armenian historians and archeologists. The necessity of new photographing and re-description of the available arrowheads was proven, because they are only archeological sources to this topic.

Turkic people have been known as excellent warriors since the beginning of their own history. As a result of this, thousands of years old Turkish military culture has unique technics in many ways. However, there are not enough researchers who study on this topic. Examining the Turkish weapon terminology is one of the best ways to determine unique technics of Turkish military culture. Book of Dede Korkut with its unmatched content, shows us the way to understand Turkish military history. This paper aims at revealing the term and descriptions related to bows and arrows, as well as examining these contexts with a comperative method between fauna and flora terminology.

The data from recent excavations in the Oman peninsula, especially in the Ja’alan and the Jebel Qara (Sultanate of Oman) enable us better to refine certain cultural entities and to define new ones, to help determine the chronology of a part of the late prehistory of south-eastern Arabia. To begin with, the “empty quarter of the early Holocene” is half full: “Fasad facies” characterizes one of the earliest Holocene hunter-gatherers occupation in Oman (8000–7500 BC). Today we possess data from several stratified sites, enabling definition of two quite distinct Neolithic techno-facies, which appear in succession: the trihedral points facies (Habarut facies) between 6500 and 4500 BC, and the facies of the points with diamond-shaped section (Suwayh facies) between 4500 and about 3800–3700 BC. Keywords: prehistory, early and middle Holocene, Neolithic, chronology, Arabia, Oman peninsula

Лук і стріла у Вірменії епохи Багратидів (кінець IX- середина XI ст.)
Dymydyuk D. Bow and arrow in Bagratid Armenia (end of 9 – middle of 11 c.).

In the article the shape and size of a bow as well as the structure of an arrow have been researched, based on Armenian, Georgian, Bizantine and Arabo-Persian sources. The primary attention was paid to the reliefs from The Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Aghtamar Island (915–921, modern Turkey) where virtually the only image of the composite bow is located.
In order to describe a bow, the majority of Armenian historians used the word “լայնալիճ” (broad bow) which means that this weapon was long. There is an assumption that self-bows could also be used. The armor penetration properties of arrows were characterized.
In the Armenian consciousness of that time, a bow (as a weapon) was associated with Muslim (Arab–Persian–Turkish) world. Lack of horse archers in Armenian army was noticed.
The level of bow’s popularity among Armenian warriors was relatively not big. Attention was paid to the lack of dating problem, description and three-dimensional image of found arrows in the works of Armenian historians and archeologists. The necessity of new photographing and re-description of the available arrowheads was proven, because they are only archeological sources to this topic.

Димидюк Д. Лук і стріла у Вірменії епохи Багратидів (кінець ІХ –
середина ХІ ст.) // Вісник військової історії. – Львів, 2018. С. 7-33
[Dymydyuk, D. (2018). Bow and arrow in Bagratid Armenia (end of IX –
middle of XI c.). Visnyk of the military history, 7-33

Metal detector survey of Zítkov Castle yielded about two hundred arrowheads, which attest that the castle has been besieged approximately at the turn between the 14th and 15th centuries. In about two thirds of all these projectiles it was also possible to document the position in which the one or another point was found; it mostly was perpendicular to the course of contour lines of the slope. The question remains whether this orientation follows the original shooting direction, or whether it is a result of post-depositional processes. The analysis of finds from Zítkov rather indicates the former possibility, but it will be necessary to verify it at other localities.

For the Turks, besides being tools of defense or attack, arrow and bow they are also very important with respect to the culture. In general they symbolize force, power and strenght and have a special place in state and thought of sovereignty as bow was accepted as a mark of lordship and arrow for vassalage. Some Turkish states used arrow and bow as an statal symbol.
This application is available in various Turkish state and an example can also be seen in the Memlûkid era. For example, there was also an arrow among the gifts sent to Mongolian ruler Samagar, in Anatolia by the Mamlukid Sultan Baybars in
1272. Although some writers have evaluatedsending an arrow as a gift as "the sing of friendship ", it can also be considered as a political message, more than a sign of friendship.

Et demain les journaux publieront
La banalité d'un  mort incompris
Découvert à un recoin de banc public
Inerte de la langueur d'une overdose
C'est ainsi que meurent les moineaux
Frigorifiés affamés et esseulés
Quand le monde s'enhiverne
D'un froid rejet sans amis

Glapit la trompe
Les portes glissent
Le métro tremble
Off
Off
we are

La arquería es popular entre los cazadores y aquellos que gustan de practicar sus habilidades en un campo de tiro. Así como cualquier otra arma, no es fácil atinarle a un objetivo con un arco. No se puede apuntar el arma en la dirección general del objetivo y esperar atinarle. El proceso de ajustar una mira en el arco maximiza las oportunidades de atinarle al objetivo. Usar una mira en un arco le permite al arquero compensar la caída de la flecha producto de la gravedad....