The antiquity of bow-and-arrow technology: Evidence from Middle Stone Age layers at Sibudu Cave

Lucinda Backwell; Justin Bradfield; Kristian J. Carlson; Tea Jashashvili; Lyn Wadley; Francesco D'Errico

doi:10.15184/aqy.2018.11

The antiquity of bow-and-arrow technology: Evidence from Middle Stone Age layers at Sibudu Cave

Lucinda Backwell, Justin Bradfield, Kristian J. Carlson, Tea Jashashvili, Lyn Wadley, Francesco D'Errico

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

47 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The bow and arrow is thought to be a unique development of our species, signalling higher-level cognitive functioning. How this technology originated and how we identify archaeological evidence for it are subjects of ongoing debate. Recent analysis of the putative bone arrow point from Sibudu Cave in South Africa, dated to 61.7±1.5kya, has provided important new insights. High-resolution CT scanning revealed heat and impact damage in both the Sibudu point and in experimentally produced arrow points. These features suggest that the Sibudu point was first used as an arrowhead for hunting, and afterwards was deposited in a hearth. Our results support the claim that bone weapon tips were used in South African hunting long before the Eurasian Upper Palaeolithic.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	289-303
Number of pages	15
Journal	Antiquity
Volume	92
Issue number	362
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2018.11
Publication status	Published - 1 Apr 2018
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Sibudu Cave
South Africa
bow and arrow
experimental archaeology
projectile technology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Archeology
General Arts and Humanities

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.15184/aqy.2018.11

Cite this

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abstract = "The bow and arrow is thought to be a unique development of our species, signalling higher-level cognitive functioning. How this technology originated and how we identify archaeological evidence for it are subjects of ongoing debate. Recent analysis of the putative bone arrow point from Sibudu Cave in South Africa, dated to 61.7±1.5kya, has provided important new insights. High-resolution CT scanning revealed heat and impact damage in both the Sibudu point and in experimentally produced arrow points. These features suggest that the Sibudu point was first used as an arrowhead for hunting, and afterwards was deposited in a hearth. Our results support the claim that bone weapon tips were used in South African hunting long before the Eurasian Upper Palaeolithic.",

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AU - Wadley, Lyn

AU - D'Errico, Francesco

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The antiquity of bow-and-arrow technology: Evidence from Middle Stone Age layers at Sibudu Cave

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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