Prehistoric wooden bows and arrows in the Turpan Basin, Northwest China: Wood selection and utilization in a mosaic landscape

Abstract

In the present study, we analyzed seven wooden bows and 13 arrows excavated from the cemeteries of Subeixi Culture (13th century BCE–AD second century) in the Turpan Basin, northwest China. A total of six taxa, viz. Morus sp., Salix sp., Picea sp., Lonicera sp., Betula sp., and Tamarix sp. were identified. Some of these taxa have been generally accepted to be suitable for bow‐and‐arrow production. All these taxa were local in origin but distributed in different ecotonal zones, including oases, saline‐alkali lands, and mountain areas. Previous archaeological studies have confirmed that the Subeixi populations lived an agro‐pastoral life. By analyzing the possible provenance of these wood samples, it can be hypothesized that these ancient agro‐pastoralists moved between the Turpan Basin and the Tianshan Mountains on a seasonal basis.

Seeing the wood for the trees: active human–environmental interactions in arid northwestern China

“…Similarly, in the Turpan Basin, Populus was also selected for making fire tools at the Yanghai Cemetery, and there was selective use of a variety of other woods, including Picea, Spiraea, Tamarix, Betula, Morus, Salix, Clematis, and Vitis vinifera (Jiang, 2022). Lonicera was also used for arrow shafts and composite bows at the Jiayi and Shengjindian cemeteries (Nong et al, 2023). Picea was widely used at Yuergou for coffin manufacture and firewood (Jiang et al, 2013).…”

“…Due to the extreme arid climate, wooden objects found in our study area are usually well preserved, and the data suggest that people might have also captured the knowledge of deliberately selecting certain types of woods when making various utensils. For example, within the Subeixi groups in the Turpan Basin, Lonicera was harvested from wild stands to make arrow shafts at Jiayi and Shengjingdian (Nong et al, 2023). At the Yanghai Cemetery, Betula was selected to make dippers or ladles, due to its rigidity, and flammable Populus and Picea were used for fire tool manufacture (Jiang et al, 2018(Jiang et al, , 2021.…”

Seeing the Wood for the Trees: Active human-environmental interactions in arid northwest China

“…Similarly, in the Turpan Basin, Populus was also selected for making fire tools at the Yanghai Cemetery, and there was selective use of a variety of other woods, including Picea, Spiraea, Tamarix, Betula, Morus, Salix, Clematis, and Vitis vinifera (Jiang, 2022). Lonicera was also used for arrow shafts and composite bows at the Jiayi and Shengjindian cemeteries (Nong et al, 2023). Picea was widely used at…”

“…Due to the extreme arid climate, wooden objects found in our study area are usually well-preserved and the data suggest that people might have also captured the knowledge of deliberately selecting certain types of woods when making various utensils. For example, within the Subeixi groups in the Turpan Basin, Lonicera was harvested from wild stands for making arrow shafts at Jiayi and Shengjingdian (Nong et al, 2023). At the Yanghai cemetery, Betula was selected for making dippers or ladles, for its rigidity; flammable Populus and Picea were used for fire tool manufacture (Jiang et al, 2018(Jiang et al, , 2021.…”