![]() ![]() ![]() In Europe, crossbow-like siege machines were used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. 221–210 BC) ( CC BY-SA 2.5 ) A Crossbow Solution This crossbow, which measures about 1.5 m (4.9 Feet) in length, had a firing range of almost 800 m (2624 Feet).Ī kneeling crossbowman from the Terracotta Army assembled for the tomb complex of Qin Shi Huang (r. In 2015, the first complete crossbow from the Qin Dynasty was excavated by archaeologists from the tomb of Qin Shi Huang. These artifacts date to around 600 BC, when this area was part of the State of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period.Īdditionally, bronze crossbow bolts were found in a mid-5th century BC grave in Hubei province, which was at that time part of the State of Chu. ( CC BY-SA 3.0 )Īs for the archaeological evidence, bronze triggers that were once part of crossbows were discovered in a grave in Qufu, Shandong Province. New Dig at First Emperor Mausoleum Expected to Yield up to 1400 More Terracotta WarriorsĪ miniature guard wielding a handheld crossbow from the top balcony of a model watchtower, made of glazed earthenware during the Eastern Han era (25–220 AD) of China, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.Secrets of Chinese Terracotta Army Weapons Revealed.Excellently preserved, complete crossbow from 2,200 years ago found at Terracotta Warrior site.In the latter source, there is a reference to the use of a giant crossbow during the late Spring and Autumn period (from the 6th to the 5th centuries BC). Two examples of early Chinese literature mentioning the crossbow include Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, and Mohist scripts from the 4th to 3rd centuries BC. Nevertheless, most of the evidence (literary and archaeological) for the earliest crossbows is from China itself. It has also been suggested that crossbow technology spread into ancient China when Central Asian marksmen were hired as mercenaries by the Chinese. Apart from ancient China, the crossbow could have been first used in Central Asia. Whilst the crossbow was probably first invented in East Asia, it is difficult to determine its exact civilization of origin. Portrait of the Imperial Bodyguard Zhanyinbao, carrying his archery equipment and wearing a sheathed dao. More conclusive evidence of ancient Chinese crossbows, however, comes from around the 6th century BC, if not earlier. This is based on certain bone, stone and shell artifacts that have been interpreted as crossbow triggers. Some historians believe the Chinese had even already invented the first crude crossbows as early as 2,000 BC. The crossbow may have been first invented in ancient China. Thus, conscripted soldiers (who may not have had training with the bow and arrow) could be armed with crossbows to shower projectiles on the enemy. To use this weapon efficiently, however, it was necessary for archers to have a considerable amount of training as well as physical strength.īy contrast, it takes a relatively lesser amount of skill and physical strength to operate a crossbow. Prior to the widespread use of crossbows, it was the bow and arrow that was the projectile weapon of choice. The crossbow is a missile weapon that had a major impact on the way battles were fought in the ancient world. ![]()
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