Ancient Weapons Essay

15086 Words61 Pages
PREHISTORIC WEAPONS Human beings have probably always killed each other. Early people used clubs, axes and spears. They also used bows and arrows. (Cave paintings from Spain dating from 10,000 to 5,000 BC show men fighting with bows). A wooden club is a surprisingly effective weapon. As early as 6,000 BC African cave paintings show people armed with clubs. Much later wooden clubs were still used in Africa and the Pacific. Early axes were made of wood and stone. (Like the tomahawk of the Native Americans). However the sword was not a practical weapon until people had become skilled in making things from metal. In Australia Aborigines hurled large boomerangs at their enemies. However war boomerangs were not designed to come back. Aborigines also fought with spears. To protect themselves they carried a curved stick, which was held in the centre. It was used to parry spears and boomerangs. ANCIENT WEAPONS Sumerian Weapons The Sumerians lived in what is now Iraq. By 3,500 BC they had created a highly civilised society. The Sumerians fought with chariots pulled by donkeys. They also used bows and arrows. They also fought with spears, axes and clubs. Although they did not wear armour soldiers did wear leather jackets studded with bronze, which gave them some protection and they wore copper helmets and carried rectangular shields. Egyptian Weapons Egyptian soldiers went into battle protected only by wooden or leather shields. They fought with spears, swords, axes, daggers and clubs or maces. They also used slings and bows and arrows. (In skilled hands a sling is a very accurate and effective weapon). In ancient Egypt most men fought on foot but after about 1,700 BC the army also had chariots. Each chariot carried two men, one to drive and one to shoot arrows. (In ancient Egypt horses were mainly used for war. Donkeys were used as pack animals). However only the

More about Ancient Weapons Essay

Open Document