Two examples of early Chinese literature mentioning the crossbow include Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, and Mohist scripts from the 4th to 3rd centuries BC. Nevertheless, most of the evidence (literary and archaeological) for the earliest crossbows is from China itself. It has also been suggested that crossbow technology spread into ancient China when Central Asian marksmen were hired as mercenaries by the Chinese. Apart from ancient China, the crossbow could have been first used in Central Asia. Whilst the crossbow was probably first invented in East Asia, it is difficult to determine its exact civilization of origin. Portrait of the Imperial Bodyguard Zhanyinbao, carrying his archery equipment and wearing a sheathed dao. More conclusive evidence of ancient Chinese crossbows, however, comes from around the 6th century BC, if not earlier. This is based on certain bone, stone and shell artifacts that have been interpreted as crossbow triggers. Some historians believe the Chinese had even already invented the first crude crossbows as early as 2,000 BC. The crossbow may have been first invented in ancient China. Thus, conscripted soldiers (who may not have had training with the bow and arrow) could be armed with crossbows to shower projectiles on the enemy. To use this weapon efficiently, however, it was necessary for archers to have a considerable amount of training as well as physical strength.īy contrast, it takes a relatively lesser amount of skill and physical strength to operate a crossbow. Prior to the widespread use of crossbows, it was the bow and arrow that was the projectile weapon of choice. The crossbow is a missile weapon that had a major impact on the way battles were fought in the ancient world.
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