Archery may no longer be a core component of modern warfare, but the bow and arrow is alive and well in popular culture. By most estimates, the bow and arrow combination dates back to 25,000-30,000 years ago, and yet it’s never entirely gone away. “No other weapon fills such a broad role, nor is any other ingrained as deeply into human culture,” explains Stuart Brown in his new video about the history of the bow and arrow. “Such a simple thing, and yet its effect could not be more profound. The bow and arrow [is] elegant, effective, [and] eternal. ”
Brown’s bow and arrow history video was posted on the Ahoy YouTube channel, and it uses footage from several different video games to chart the evolution of archery from the prehistory era to the present and beyond. It turns out that video games are well suited for this, as the bow and arrow remains a popular weapon of choice for gamers and developers.
Part of the appeal of the bow and arrow is that it is a remarkably efficient way to hunt and kill, despite being a relatively low tech weapon. As Brown notes in the video, the design and material of the bow and arrow has drastically changed over the years, but the basic function remains the same. The bow and arrow is such a versatile weapon that it appears in almost every genre of gaming, from role playing games, to fighting games, adventure games, and even a few first-person-shooter titles that allow players to equip bows and arrows that are just short of science fiction. On a very basic level, it’s just a fun weapon to use, even if most players would struggle with an actual bow and arrow in real life.
What did you think about the history of bow and arrows? Take aim, and share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Image Credit: Crystal Dynamics/Square Enix