Primitive Archer

Everywhere, it's endemic here, seems to be quick growing and shallow rooted so gets blown down frequently, typically when the stems get to about 8" diameter - was planted over old coal tips and roadside verges but grows along steep valley sides, etc

So, I asked duckduckgo if silver birch was better than downy birch for bows and the second entry on the browser page infected my phone with a virus, or at least opened a page that said "virus detected downloading data" with lots of flashing coloured lines over the page.  Dunno if it actually was a virus or a scare-you to click on a link type page but still you have been warned 

Anyway, where I live is heartland for downy birch and many, many windfalls all year round, so, is downy birch good for bow building? 

@ jameswoodmot

I think, you are right with your feeling.

In Italy near Rom was found a neolithic settlement.
The settlement was discovered almost 40 years ago. Among other things, more than 30 bows were found. 19  have been properly examined in recent years—with a very interesting result:
Surprising variety of wood
By analyzing the archaeological finds, the researchers were able to identify six different types of wood. The most common wood was hornbeam, which was found in nine bows, followed by woolly snowball with six specimens. Individual bows were made from alder, dogwood, ash, and evergreen oak.

This is remarkable because previous research on Neolithic bows in Europe showed a clear dominance of yew. The study suggests that bow production followed a practical approach. People flexibly used what the surrounding Mediterranean mixed forest had to offer, rather than following a specialized or restrictive choice of materials.



Written in:
 „Archery technology in the Neolithic: Management of the Mediterranean mixed forest and woodworking activities at La Marmotta (Italy)“ (Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2026)

That’s a great article and has lead me to find several more that I was unaware of including one about phragmites reed composite arrows which is incredible
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-77224-w


Do you know if there are any more photos of the bows found in Italy? Some of the dimensions seem unlikely for bows, three are so short and thick I can’t see them working even for a small fishing bow

20x13mm at the tip, 32x25 in the middle and 20x18 at the other tip and 825mm long just doesn’t seem likely and there are three other bows there of similar dimensions. Very roughly 3/4x1/2 tip, 1 1/4”x 1” middle and 3/4x 11/16 and  32 1/2” long which seems implausible


Medicinewhee, yeah that’s exactly what I have read this morning, I assume the advent of farming in the area was also brought about by the warming climate

@ jameswoodmot

I think, you are right with your feeling.

In Italy near Rom was found a neolithic settlement.
The settlement was discovered almost 40 years ago. Among other things, more than 30 bows were found. 19  have been properly examined in recent years—with a very interesting result:
Surprising variety of wood
By analyzing the archaeological finds, the researchers were able to identify six different types of wood. The most common wood was hornbeam, which was found in nine bows, followed by woolly snowball with six specimens. Individual bows were made from alder, dogwood, ash, and evergreen oak.

This is remarkable because previous research on Neolithic bows in Europe showed a clear dominance of yew. The study suggests that bow production followed a practical approach. People flexibly used what the surrounding Mediterranean mixed forest had to offer, rather than following a specialized or restrictive choice of materials.



Written in:
 „Archery technology in the Neolithic: Management of the Mediterranean mixed forest and woodworking activities at La Marmotta (Italy)“ (Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2026)

It is looking very much like a bow Arvin.  I always try to follow the grain, but it's the only way I know.  I see lots of bows being made that don't follow that rule and they appear to work, but I don't know why.  I can't wait to see how well it does when you test shoot it.