In 1000 BCE some of these horse-riding archers from Central Asia invented the recurve bow, which was in the shape of a "W" and had an improved elasticity. In 1200 BCE, the Hittites, originating from Anatolia, shot arrows using their bows on light chariots. When people started horse riding at around 2500 BCE, composite bows were created. The bows were quite effective against the enemies that were far from the archer, and so archers were sought after in recruitment for armies. The oldest extant bows, from the Holmegård region in Denmark, date to around 6,000 BCE. īows and arrows had arrived in Europe by the Late Paleolithic period, around 9,000–11,000 BCE, and seem to have arrived in the Americas by at least 6,000 BCE. Some hypothesised concomitants, such as the use of bow drills, also remain elusive. There is as yet no direct evidence for bows during the African Pleistocene, and the hypothesis that very early, stone points were used to tip darts or arrows remains unsupported by use-trace studies and contextual evidence. These early arrows were just a stone tip, which is advantageous over organic materials because it enables weapons to cut through tougher hides and create larger wounds, killing more easily. Stone tips are one of the earliest forms of weapons assumed by archaeologists, with the earliest surviving examples of stone tips with animal blood dating to around 64,000 years ago from the Natal, in what is now South Africa. From the excavations at Zhengzhou, it is evident that the Chinese during the Shang dynasty had well built walls, large buildings, bronze foundries, and bone and pottery workshops. Bronze was produced on a large scale in China for weapons, including spears, pole-axes, pole-based dagger-axes, composite bows, and bronze or leather helmets. Neolithic communities who lived primarily in the upper Yellow River in China also used bronze items extensively as a number of artifacts were recovered at the Majiayao site. It was used extensively in Asia: the Indus Valley Civilization flourished as a result of improved metallurgy. Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, has been used as far back as 4500 BCE, as it is much harder than pure copper. Around 3500 BCE the art of metallurgy spread into India, China and Europe. After the discovery of pure copper in Anatolia, around 6000 BCE, copper metallurgy spread in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Bow and arrows were a boon for hunters as they could hunt more effectively with a bow and arrow than with a spear, and so the bow enabled ancient man to become the most efficient hunter. Bow and arrow were preferred over spears because they were easy to handle, provided greater mobility, were more accurate and did not require as much raw material. Along with maces, bows and arrows and slings were used in wars. Ancient artisans soon discovered the drawbacks of bronze for producing armaments, as while weapons made of bronze could be sharpened easily, they were not able to hold their edge. Native Americans mostly used flint spears and knives but used bronze for ceremonies and intricate decorations. The Sumerians were the first people on record to have used bronze weapons. During the Bronze Age maces were in high demand. Bronze significantly contributed to the ancient world and helped cultures of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Indus and China flourish.
Prehistory and the ancient world Īs humans discovered new natural resources beneath the Earth's surface, traditional weapons were replaced as methods for metal-working developed.
Engineers are developing new types of guns driver#
The use of weapons is a major driver of cultural evolution and human history up to today, since weapons are a type of tool which is used to dominate and subdue autonomous agents such as animals and by that allow for an expansion of the cultural niche, while simultaneously other weapon users (i.e., agents such as humans, groups, cultures) are able to adapt to weapons of enemies by learning, triggering a continuous process of competitive technological, skill and cognitive improvement ( arms race). Major innovations in the history of weapons have included the adoption of different materials – from stone and wood to different metals, and modern synthetic materials such as plastics – and the developments of different weapon styles either to fit the terrain or to support or counteract different battlefield tactics and defensive equipment. As technology has developed throughout history, weapons have changed with it. Weapons also serve many other purposes in society including use in sports, collections for display, and historical displays and demonstrations. People have used weapons in warfare, hunting, self-defense, law enforcement, and criminal activity. A Gilbertese shark tooth weapon (late 19th century)