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HISTORY OF ARCHERY
Archery is one of the oldest arts still practiced. This history will not
only take you through a journey on the evolution of archery, but also
through the history of mankind. Indeed, both are closely linked. Evidence
of ancient archery has been found throughout the world, even in Australia
where it had previously been thought that the bow had not been used.
Although archery probably dates to the Stone Age (around 20?000 BC), the
earliest people known to have used the bow and arrow were the ancient
Egyptians, who adopted it at least 5000 years ago for purposes of hunting
and warfare.
In 1200 BC , the Hittites would use the bow from light, fast chariots that
enabled them to become dreaded opponents in Middle Eastern battles. Their
neighbors, the Assyrians used archery extensively. They built bows from
several different types of material : tendon, horn and wood. They also
gave the bow a new, recurred shape that was far more powerful and as it
was shorter, it was more easily handled by an archer on horseback.
In China, archery dates back to the Shang dynasty (1766-1027 BC). A war
chariot of that time carried a three-man team : driver, lancer and archer.
During the ensuing Zhou (Chou) dynasty (1027-256 BC), nobles at court
attended sport archery tournaments that were accompanied by music and
interspersed with elegant salutations.
Chinese civil archery introduced to Japan from the 6th century had an
overriding influence on later etiquette and techniques. One of Japans
martial arts was originally known as kyujutsu (the art of the bow), now
known as kyudo (way of the bow). Kyudo today continues to be taught in the
traditionally prescribed manner. After certain ritual movements, the
archer advances with deliberate steps to the shooting line and shoots at a
target 36 cm in diameter set in a bank of sand that is roofed over, from a
distance of 28 meters. The bow is 2.21 meter-long and made of laminated
strips of bamboo and wood.
In the Greco-Roman period, the bow was more used for personal exploits or
hunting, rather than warfare. Archers are frequently seen on pottery at
that time. Both the Greeks and the Romans used Cretan as archers. The
Romans are said to have been second-rate archers as until the fifth
century their bows were shot by drawing the string to the chest, instead
of the longer draw to the face which gives the arrow far more accuracy.
Their opponents had often far better skills. The Parthians for instance
were horsemen who developed the skill of swivelling around in the saddle
and could shoot backwards at full gallop.
Middle Eastern superiority in archer equipment and technique continued for
centuries. With bows like those of the Assyrians and Parthians, Attila the
Hun and his Mongols conquered much of Europe and Asia, and Turkish archers
threw back the Crusaders.
For Native Americans, the bow was both a means of subsistence and
existence before and during the days of English and later American
colonisation. This has been the case, and still is in some countries, on
the African continent.
The popularity of archery is reflected in the many ballads and folklore,
such as for instance Robin Hood, to name the most famous one. In Greek
mythology, reference is often made to archers.
English literature honours the longbow for famous
victories in the battles of Crecy, Agincourt and Poitiers. The first known
organised competition in archery was held at Finsbury, England in 1583 and
included 3000 participants ! By the time of the 30 Years War (1618-1648),
it was clear that the bow as weapon belonged to the past, due to the
introduction of the gunfire. Since then, archery developed as a
recreational sport.
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