Back to Simpler Times with Primitive Archery

Prince Louis Napoleon - "A first rate English archer, who, in a single minute was unable to draw and discharge his bow 12 times, with a range of 240 yards, and who in these twelve shots once missed his man, was very lightly esteemed."

Archery is one of the oldest hunting methods known to man. Primitive archery is a sport which commonly uses bows and arrows, crossbows, and longbows. Primitive archery is a fun sport that, with some skill and a bit of luck, can provide you with meat for all of the season. Primitive archery was practiced for thousands of years by our forefathers, and can be a great sport that provides relaxation and fun.

In every country except Australia, primitive archery was used by ancient civilizations thousands of years ago not only for hunting, but also for war. In a time in which the only aerial weapons were simple slingshots, crossbows and other archery weapons were considered very deadly.

The arrows used in primitive archery evolved over time, becoming more effective and more dangerous with use. In the beginning, most arrows were wooden, with a fire-hardened tip, but soon man discovered how to tie a cloth over the tip, soak it in flammable solution such as oil or fat, and light it, sending off flaming arrows to the enemy. Men also began to soak the ends in poison extracted from deadly animals and herbs. In this way, if the wound from an arrow was not lethal, at least the poison would spread through a body and the enemy would still be slain. Also used on the tips of arrows were obsidian and flint, which gave a better penetration upon contact.

The first English archers were given higher pay than infantry men; however, they were also left if captured. No ransom would have been paid for an archer, whereas an infantryman would have been sought after if captured by the enemy. Archers, in addition, were not allowed to rise in social status in England.

During the Crusades in the 1000’s, the Mohammadean army especially utilized crossbows extensively. Most of the army consisted of men on horseback carrying crossbows and other weapons of primitive archery. Because of their use of crossbows, the Mohammadean army was able to shoot and kill from farther away than if using swords or hand weapons. However, once the armies collided, swords were far superior in battle.

In 1208, a clan in Asia called the Mongols was given 10,000 crossbows, with which to rule their cities and enslave new peoples. These peoples were so savage that they often cut their horses veins and drank their blood, and would wipe out every citizen in a city just to make a point.

During the years between the medieval times and modern times, archery was often used not only in hunting but also in contests, and most importantly, in war. In fact, some form of archery was probably present in every war throughout the years.

Archery became such an important part of war throughout the years that in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s, Indian tribes would actually deform their heads so as to thicken the skull bones, thereby decreasing chance of death if struck by an arrow.

Archery is no longer used in war, as it is an ineffective weapon against modern guns, bombs, and other heavy artillery. However, it is still commonly used in hunting, and most forests have designated a time slot especially for primitive weapons hunting. If practiced, archery can be as effective in hunting as a gun, and can be a lot more fun in the process.