Archery

Archery is the practice of using a bow to shoot arrows. Archery has historically been used in hunting and combat and has become a precision sport. A person practicing archery is called an archer, and one who enjoys or is an expert at archery is sometimes called an toxophilite.

In Target Archery, the object is to hit targets to score points. These arrows score as an X (inner 10) and a 9.

History

Safe archery techniques while aiming an arrow

Female archer in Benin.

The earliest evidence of archery dates back more than 9,000 years. The bow probably was used in hunting first and later adopted as a tool of warfare. It was one of the earliest forms of artillery.

Classical civilizations, notably the Persians, Macedonians, Nubians, Greeks, Parthians, Indians, Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans, had large numbers of archers in their armies. Archers in chariots were especially important in armies of ancient Egypt. Arrows were very destructive against massed formations, and the use of archers helped win battles. The army of the Mongol Empire was mostly archers on horseback.

Other websites

• Archery Interchange UK The UK's largest online archery community.
• The Great Northwood Bowmen Medieval Longbow Archery and re-enactment Society, re-enacting the 15th century, based in London.
• Bowhunting Basics
• Archery Information
• Archery Pictures