How are bones adhered to composite bows?
As well known it is, bone siyas for composite bows were found in Britain(See the pictures), and it is said that roman auxiliary archers' bows were made of not only bone, but also steel 1).
There are also bone splits(thought to be ribs of cattle) of composite bows found in Pyongyang, North Korea. These bone splits are from 4th century A.D. Goguryeo.
The question came to me after knowing all these facts. When bones were used in composite bows(whether used as siya, or used for entirely covering the belly of the bow, as if it were used for the substitute of horn strip.), how was the bone adhered to other materials, such as wood, sinew?
Was glue used, which was normal for many composite bows made of horn, sinew, and wood?
#Source of the photographs:
http://www.geocities.com/overyom/Roman_Archery_3.html
1): http://www.roman-empire.net/army/aux-equip.html
There are also bone splits(thought to be ribs of cattle) of composite bows found in Pyongyang, North Korea. These bone splits are from 4th century A.D. Goguryeo.
The question came to me after knowing all these facts. When bones were used in composite bows(whether used as siya, or used for entirely covering the belly of the bow, as if it were used for the substitute of horn strip.), how was the bone adhered to other materials, such as wood, sinew?
Was glue used, which was normal for many composite bows made of horn, sinew, and wood?
#Source of the photographs:
http://www.geocities.com/overyom/Roman_Archery_3.html
1): http://www.roman-empire.net/army/aux-equip.html
That is one of the besr pics of bone plates I've yet to see. Thanks for posting them.
The reinforcing strips were not only bone but often antler. This isn't always clear in archaeological reports.
Usually the strips were glued to the wooden core with hide glue. Where the siyah was at an angle to the core, the ends of the bone plates were wrapped in sinew.
Antler used for the bellies of Plains Indian bows had the sinew glued directly to it.
Coulston in Roman Archery does not mention steel in Roman or Sarmatian bows and the article you cited may have some old references confused. Some bows did have metal rivets used in their construction. In one case, an Afghan bow I have seen, a rivet was used at each end of the handle as reinforcement. Some sets of bone plates have a small rivet on one pair that may have been used to suspend the bow for storage.
Usually the strips were glued to the wooden core with hide glue. Where the siyah was at an angle to the core, the ends of the bone plates were wrapped in sinew.
Antler used for the bellies of Plains Indian bows had the sinew glued directly to it.
Coulston in Roman Archery does not mention steel in Roman or Sarmatian bows and the article you cited may have some old references confused. Some bows did have metal rivets used in their construction. In one case, an Afghan bow I have seen, a rivet was used at each end of the handle as reinforcement. Some sets of bone plates have a small rivet on one pair that may have been used to suspend the bow for storage.