"When did the first bows, slings and spear throwers appear?" Topic

This question came up on another recent thread, but would benefit from a broader audience with possible input on the subject. Thanks.

CC

TMP link

Did it occur during the Paleo, Meso or Neolithic?

Any reliable links to sources will be appreciated. Thanks.

CC

Think bows are neolithic. The others I suspect are earlier…

Did any of those weapons play a role in the extinction of the Neanderthals? Or were they developed after the Neanderthals were already extinct?

If they were first used during the neolithic, then the former would be the case.

Simple Stone Tools (made by Homo Habilis): 2,400,000 BC
Earlist known example of a Wooden Spear (yew wood, in England): 300,000 BC
Neandertals are becoming common in Europe: 200,000 BC
Earlist known example of a Charred Wooden Spear (Germany): 120,000 BC
Limited evidence of fully modern Homo Sapiens existing: 90,000 BC
Simple forms of Lamps in use (animal fat, lichen/moss wicks): 40,000 BC
Bow & Arrow invented (stone tips) (Spain & Sahara): 25,000 BC
Boomerang in use (Poland): 25,000 BC (appears in Australia 12,000 BC)
Needles in use: 20,000 BC
Earlist Bone tipped Harpoon (Zaire): 16,000 BC
Spear Thrower (Atlatl) invented: 15,000 BC
Rope in use: 15,000 BC
Earlist direct evidence of the Bow & Arrow (Germany): 8,500 BC

"The Timetables of Technology", 1993

Bows found in Tunisia have been dated as far back as 50,000 years and cave paintings pre dating that.They have been found everywhere but Australia,as a weapon it probably did not come into its own until after the Dryas event 10-13,000 years ago and was still outclassed by the sling for power,ammunition and weight.

Etenebrislux,

Does the "The Timetables of Technology" list imply the use of the bow during the overlap (Neanderthal/H.S. interaction) period? When does it say the Neanderthals became extinct? Thanks.

CC

Reccerat,

Any links to that information? Thanks.

25,000 BC Entry: "The bow and arrow invented, according to evidence from sites at Parpallo, Spain, and the Sahara; stone points from Parpallo appear to be tips of arrows; drawings of archers are found at the North Africa site; other evidence, however, suggests a later origin, perhaps as late as 8,000 BC."

Copies of the book (cheap) are available at Amazon. I
It is handy for the wargamer, and the historical roleplayer.

Wikipedia:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neandertal

The Bow

link

Wonderful. I will get on it right away. Thanks.

CC

Best current guess that I've seen is that Neanderthals died out about 30,000 years ago, so even taking the 25,000 date for the invention of the bow and arrow is pushing it.

My archaeology texts agree with most of the numbers ETenibrisLux gave, although it has the atl-atl (spear thrower) appearing about 19,000 years ago. That's the only major difference in numbers I saw. About the appearance of slings, it's likely we'll never know a good date for their invention. Leather doesn't preserve in most conditions and the ammunition might not need reworked at all if there are round rocks nearby. Givin it's simplicity of construction and that the principle behind it's design is similar to the atl-atl I think it most likely appeared near that same period.
About Neanderthals, skeletal analysis points to them having a significantly more violent lifestyle than homo sapiens of the same time period. Not that they were hurting eachother—in general Neanderthal tools are more crude there don't appear to be many projectile weapons, their tools are mostly handaxes and cutting tools. Therefor there is a lot of speculation that early humans possessed the ranged weapons while the neanderthals did not, leading to the neanderthals getting hurt—or killed—far more often while trying to get food.

*The one example skeleton was a 40ish year old Neanderthal male. His left arm and leg showed evidence of partially healed breaks and his skull was partially crushed in the area of the left eye, leading the researchers to think he was blind in at least that eye.