Re: Bow and Arrow Dating

VoiceOfReason <papa_...@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Perfecting the technology such that it would be superior
to existing weapons is no simple matter. Spear and
atlatls are much simpler to make than a bow and arrow.

And simpler to use, especially the spear.

A bow IS NOT a weapon that just anyone can pick up
and use effectively. There's quite a range in level of
proficiency in gun use, but a gun is a lot easier to use
than a bow. It's one of the reason why projectile weapons
didn't take the forefront of military action until the
introduction of gunpoweder.

I would think that a heavy spear would be a superior
weapon against megafauna.

What is considered "Lethal Velocity" for a Mammoth
anyway?

Bow and arrow would be far superior in one respect -- weight.
Especially for nomads, that's a lot more "killing power" per
pound than spear/atlatl.

Distance. Even a deer -- not normally considered a vicious
animal -- could do a number on you if corned & stabbed to
death.

Then again, it's damn hard to kill a deer with a rifle, if you
don't have a good aim...


.

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