The bow masters: Neolithic bows were made from three types of wood, and entwined tendons

An interdisciplinary investigation of archaeological remains found in a cave located in Albuñol, Granada revealed the sophistication of Ancient Neolithic archery in the Iberian Peninsula between 5300 and 4900 BCE.

Among the remarkable findings were the oldest known bowstrings in Europe, made from the tendons of three different animal species.

"The identification of these bowstrings marks a crucial step in the study of Neolithic weaponry. Not only were we able to confirm the use of animal tendons to make them, but we also identified the genus or species of animal from which they came," said Ingrid Bertin, a UAB researcher and first author of the published article, according to Science Daily. The tendons used were from species within the Capra genus (goats and ibex), the Sus genus (wild boar and pigs), and roe deer. The tendons were twisted together to create ropes of sufficient length, utilizing a technique that modern archers still employ.

The study also highlighted the use of olive wood, reed wood, and birch bark pitch in arrow manufacturing. The combination of these materials contributed to the overall weight of the arrow, enhancing penetration and stability during flight, and revealed an unprecedented degree of precision and technical mastery. According to Phys.org, the selection of materials was particularly interesting: olive wood is known for its density, strength, and durability while maintaining flexibility, making it ideal for the front sections of arrows. Reed wood, being lighter and more flexible, was used for the back sections. Birch bark tar was used as an adhesive and possibly for decorative purposes, coating the arrow shafts.

Led by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), the research involved several teams from Spanish centers and universities, including the University of Alcalá (UAH) and the Institute of Heritage Sciences (INCIPIT-CSIC). International collaboration included the Université Côte d'Azur and the CNRS in France.

"With this technique, strong and flexible ropes could be made to meet the needs of experienced archers. This degree of precision and technical mastery, where every detail counts, attests to the exceptional knowledge of these Neolithic artisans," stated Raquel Piqué, a researcher in the Department of Prehistory at the UAB and coordinator of the study, as reported by Agencia SINC.

The exceptional preservation of organic remains in the cave allowed researchers to use advanced microscopy techniques and biomolecular analysis, combining protein and lipid analysis. The study utilized mass spectrometry and Fourier transform spectrophotometry to analyze the samples, as noted by Science. These analyses confirmed the materials and manufacturing techniques used during the Early Neolithic, enriching the understanding of artisan practices and daily life of prehistoric societies.

The research was carried out as part of the CHEMARCH project (MSCA-ITN-EJD), funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 program, with participation from ICTA-UAB, the University of Alcalá, INCIPIT-CSIC, the University of Córdoba, the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Université Côte d'Azur, and CNRS in France.

The researchers intend to conduct future experiments to replicate the arrows and test their effectiveness. "We have pending the experimental work because we want to replicate them and check their effectiveness," said Ingrid Bertin, as reported by El Pais. The team hopes that future experiments may clarify whether these arrows could have been used for hunting or close-range combat.

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq