The history and techniques of traditional archery across cultures

The Mediterranean draw, using the index and middle fingers to pull the string, minimizes bow torque and is widely used in traditional archery, from European longbows to Middle Eastern recurve bows.

The Egyptians incorporated archery into religious ceremonies, with depictions of pharaohs like Tutankhamun shooting bows in rituals, symbolizing power and divine favor, as seen in tomb art.

Gungdo, Korea’s traditional archery, uses a compact composite bow made of horn and sinew, practiced in formal ranges with targets at 145 meters, emphasizing precision and discipline.

Mongol horse archers used thumb rings, typically made of bone or leather, to protect their thumbs and enable rapid, powerful shots with composite bows, enhancing their battlefield dominance.

The anchor point, such as the corner of the mouth or cheek, ensures consistent arrow release and accuracy in traditional archery across cultures, from English longbowmen to Japanese Kyudo practitioners.

The Comanche, expert horsemen, used short sinew-backed bows, ideal for mounted archery, to hunt buffalo and fight, with designs optimized for speed and mobility.

English longbows, key to victories like Agincourt in 1415, were primarily made from yew wood, valued for its strength and elasticity, with a draw weight of up to 180 pounds.

The Mongol composite bow, made from layered horn, wood, and sinew, was compact and powerful, enabling horse archers to conquer vast territories under Genghis Khan.

Kyudo, meaning 'the way of the bow,' is a traditional Japanese archery practice that combines technical skill with Zen meditation, focusing on form, posture, and mindfulness.

The Hittites, an Anatolian civilization, used composite bows in chariot warfare around 2000 BCE, as evidenced by archaeological finds and texts, giving them a military advantage in battles.