Magyar bows - string configuration
Hi Folks
I am brand new to this forum. I've been reading it for some time, and have been impressed by the level of knowledge it contains. I have been an archer for more than 20 years, shooting just about every style of modern bow, plus English longbow. I have just become particularly interested in Asian archery and would like to start with a question - I'm sorry if its a daft one.
All the modern reconstructions Magyar bows that I have seen - mainly from the Kassai/Grozer stable - have the string running directly from nock to nock and not touching the ears of the bow at all.
I believe that when Sebestyen made his original reconstruction he assumed that this was the case, and all else followed. Can anyone tell me what evidence is there to back this assumption?
Quadratus = Alan Walker
I am brand new to this forum. I've been reading it for some time, and have been impressed by the level of knowledge it contains. I have been an archer for more than 20 years, shooting just about every style of modern bow, plus English longbow. I have just become particularly interested in Asian archery and would like to start with a question - I'm sorry if its a daft one.
All the modern reconstructions Magyar bows that I have seen - mainly from the Kassai/Grozer stable - have the string running directly from nock to nock and not touching the ears of the bow at all.
I believe that when Sebestyen made his original reconstruction he assumed that this was the case, and all else followed. Can anyone tell me what evidence is there to back this assumption?
Quadratus = Alan Walker
All illustrations of long eared bows prior to the twelfth century show the strings that did not touch the limbs except at the nocks. Some excavated bows late in the period, show a slight bend at the end of the ears, where they are starting to recurve. This suggests that straight eared bows were starting to evolve after about a millennium of stability.
The limited number of bowstrings found in association with straight eared bows have small loops that indicate they were braced nock to nock.
The geometry of surviving bows of the type from Xinjiang would not allow a long looped string to touch the base of the ears without also nearly touching the set-back handle of the bow.
The limited number of bowstrings found in association with straight eared bows have small loops that indicate they were braced nock to nock.
The geometry of surviving bows of the type from Xinjiang would not allow a long looped string to touch the base of the ears without also nearly touching the set-back handle of the bow.
Thanks Bede. Can you point me at any good reference sources?
Thanks
Alan W.
Thanks
Alan W.
Alan,
The main source for early European use of straight eared bows would be J C N Coulston's Roman Archery Equipment. This site has many examples of early straight eared bows, some excavated and others turning up on the market.
Chinese encyclopaedias of the Song Dynasty have illustrations of bows. Chinese paintings from the 4th to 12th century often have details of bows carried by military figures or hunters.
Central Asian paintings also show straight eared bows. There are also depictions on tombstones in the Crimea.
The main source for early European use of straight eared bows would be J C N Coulston's Roman Archery Equipment. This site has many examples of early straight eared bows, some excavated and others turning up on the market.
Chinese encyclopaedias of the Song Dynasty have illustrations of bows. Chinese paintings from the 4th to 12th century often have details of bows carried by military figures or hunters.
Central Asian paintings also show straight eared bows. There are also depictions on tombstones in the Crimea.
The most accesible information on these bows would be found in the recent copy of the Journal of the Society of Archer Antiquaries, The Development of Bone-Reinforced Composites, by ATARN member Andrew Hall. I just love pouring over his drawings from archaeological sites and artwork. A complete biblio and even a progression of types in 12 fact filled pages.
I think I remember a Russian author describing these bows as "Siberian" after their first place of occurance. -j-
I think I remember a Russian author describing these bows as "Siberian" after their first place of occurance. -j-
Thanks folks. I've been unwell for a few days, but I'll do some more digging around (metaphorically!).
Alan
Alan