V splice. When was it introduced ?

I think the "v" or fishtail splice was introduced for the grip to arm junction first. I have seen some in Central Asia from around the Tsaidam Basin from the 12th century, but that is certainly not the earliest.

There is some, not entirely secure evidence from the second half of the first millennium from Turkic types of Xinjiang (Mazer Tagh). This was a very slow concept to catch on. Possibly folks had a lot invested in their current technology; had perfectly excellent working hornbows, and were reluctant to abandon their methods for something new.

Serindia has posted bows, Uygur for one, which preceded the Mongol bows which are clearly V spliced. Mongols of the 1200s proceeded with their old Hunnic type bows before adapting Turkic type bows.

I think it can be safely said that some of their troops, like Buryats, retained the older technology and never did change.

jack farrell wrote:

I think it can be safely said that some of their troops, like Buryats, retained the older technology and never did change.

How are these bows made, was it a one-piece core with bent tips?

Peter; When looking at a Siberian wood bow with slightly recurved tips and pillow type bridges, it is easy to see that if the bow was reflexed a little more and had horn belly and sinew back, one would have a Buryat type bow. Buryat bows also have bone siyah belly plates, sometimes have siyah side plates, horn or bone.

I do not think it could be ruled out that some have grip core splices.