Seeking the source: The oldest Wooden Bow
by Greg Anderson
Owner and Craftsman
www.northwoodtraditionalarchery.com
The oldest intact bows in the world were found in oxygen free waters of the Holmegaard bogs. The High tannin content of the waters there are what caused the low oxygen level, which in turn inhibits the growth of bacteria. This bow is estimated to be 10,000 years old, made by pre-agricultural European people. What intrigues me about this design is both subjective and objective. I am part scandinavian, and so it is nostalgic to make these bows. Aside from that, they are simply the most simplistic and most advanced bow that I make. This is because no other historic wooden bows that I've come across have utilized variant cross sections in the profile as the holmegaard bows did, and with such efficacy.
So, to convey the importance of what makes this wooden bow unique:
A bow should be easy to draw, release with little handshock, and convey as much of it's stored energy into the arrow as possible. This design utilizes low limb mass at the last 2/3 of the limb, much like a modern bowyer's "pyramid bow" in it's front profile, however, that last section of the limb also has a "d" cross-section by rounding the belly, "the inside of the bow", which reduces limb mass even further, but increases it's resistance, creating a stiff, low mass tip. The leverage of this bow is then created, and most of the working (bending) area is in the lower 2/3 of the bow.
The lower limb near the handle utilizes the benefits demonstrated in another historic and highly efficient Native American bow, known as the "sudbury bow". This bow is known to have utilized the wood's higher tensile strength vs. compression strength and reducing mass by creating a trapezoidal cross-section, thereby reducing mass where it is unneeded on the back of the bow, and leaving more mass on the belly for compression strength.
Essentially, this bow is a master of limb mass reduction and leverage. It is by far one of the most efficient self bow designs, and may only be comparable to other bows of similar design found in the Adaman islands.
It was my great honor to have learned this bow from my teacher, who was a scholar, knight, world renowned craftsman, and a founder of the experiential archaeology field, Errett Callihan. It should be noted, that the details in limb cross section should not be overlooked, which has unfortunately been the case in some recreations of this bow type that I've come across. The devil is in the details, and when seeking the truth behind these old wooden bows, tradition would dictate reverence toward all it's smallest assets.