The Bow and arrow
The most ancient bows had a solitary bend, were made of wood and hung with sinews or strings made of plant fiber. In the predynastic period bows much of the time had a twofold bend, however throughout the Old Kingdom a solitary angled bow was regularly received. Drawing this sort of self bow was harder and one lost the advantage of double length draw.
During the New Kingdom the composite bow came into use, having been presented by the Asiatic Hyksos. Regularly the bows were not made in Egypt but in foreign places from the Middle East, as was the situation with other "cutting edge" weapons.
The more established, single-bended bow was not totally relinquished. Thutmose III and Amenhotep II continued utilizing it. A troublesome weapon to utilize effectively, it requested quality, mastery and years of practice and the accomplished officer picked his weapon with forethought. Amenhotep II
The composite bow was adopted because of the inherent limitations of the simple bow. Achieving greatest possible range with a bow as small and light as possible was of utmost importance.
The maximal draw length possible was the length of the archer's arm. By using a bow which was curving forwards when unstrung, one was putting it under an initial tension, to which the force exercised by the hand pulling the string was added. The draw weight was thus dramatically increased.
During the New Kingdom the composite bow came into use, having been presented by the Asiatic Hyksos. Regularly the bows were not made in Egypt but in foreign places from the Middle East, as was the situation with other "cutting edge" weapons.
The more established, single-bended bow was not totally relinquished. Thutmose III and Amenhotep II continued utilizing it. A troublesome weapon to utilize effectively, it requested quality, mastery and years of practice and the accomplished officer picked his weapon with forethought. Amenhotep II
The composite bow was adopted because of the inherent limitations of the simple bow. Achieving greatest possible range with a bow as small and light as possible was of utmost importance.
The maximal draw length possible was the length of the archer's arm. By using a bow which was curving forwards when unstrung, one was putting it under an initial tension, to which the force exercised by the hand pulling the string was added. The draw weight was thus dramatically increased.
The arrows had heads made of flint, which were replaced by bronze heads in the 2nd millennium and iron ones in the first. They were mostly made for piercing having a sharp point. During the pre-dynastic period this point was for a while replaced by a wider blade in the hope to inflict cutting wounds on the enemy. Archers used a few accessories. Arrows were kept gathered together in quivers made of light, tough materials like tapestry which were occasionally decorated
THE sling
Hurling stones with the assistance of a slingshot requested little gear and very little practice to be successful . Optional to bow and shaft, the slingshot was once in a while delineated. The primary drawings date to the twentieth century BCE. Made of perishable materials, few ancient slingshots have survived .
It relied on the impact the missile made and like most impact weapons was generally relegated to play a subsidiary role. In the hands of lightly armed skirmishers it was used to distract the attention of the enemy. One of its advantages was the easy availability of ammunition, small stones, in many locations. On the other hand, one provided enemy slingers with ammunition, which just needed picking up.
It relied on the impact the missile made and like most impact weapons was generally relegated to play a subsidiary role. In the hands of lightly armed skirmishers it was used to distract the attention of the enemy. One of its advantages was the easy availability of ammunition, small stones, in many locations. On the other hand, one provided enemy slingers with ammunition, which just needed picking up.
Sling
Most of the left strap has disappeared
The right strap ends in a noose which fits over a finger.
Source: Petrie Museum web site, UC6921
Most of the left strap has disappeared
The right strap ends in a noose which fits over a finger.
Source: Petrie Museum web site, UC6921
THE javelin
Not a weapon of real imperativeness, the spear would do well to pierce enemies than an arrowhead, in view of its more heavier weight. Yet straight thin shafts were simpler to mass-produce than the thicker lances, and in a district where protective layer comprised generally just of rawhide shields, about as effective.
Iron Javelin