HISTORY of ARCHERY

Many believe the archer was born from the days of throwing atlatls for survival.  We don’t know what man or woman was the first to string a bow, but whoever did, knew that throwing an atlatl causes a lot of movement within the body and the chance for success was likely more dependent on how close one could get to its target. 

With a large stick and sharp point, the stick and string could be drawn back without alerting his/her target or prey, reach the target faster, and became more successful as a group or as individuals.  

Although written history cannot confirm 100%, the current tools and technology we have states that archery likely dates back to 20,000BC in Africa.  

The earliest regularly recorded archers were the Ancient Egyptians (approx. 3000 BC) and in China during the Shang Dynasty (1766-1027BC).  

Some of the oldest intact bows recorded were Elm Holmegaard bows from Denmark and dated 8,000 - 9,000 BC

Composite bows, similar to traditional bows we have today as far as layering different materials, date back to over 4,500 years ago. 

With the original patent in 1969, the compound bow invented by Holess W. Allen, archery was launched as an industry.  Technology, material, manufacturing practices, and refinement end over end, year after year, has elevated archery to a degree not seen or known in many industries (and in only 55 years).