Around 20,000 B.C., the bow had advanced to the point where sharpened flint arrowheads, tied with sinew to wooden shafts, were used for bowhunting.

A skeleton is found with a flint arrow head embedded in its pelvis. The find is dated to 11,000 B.C.

Arrowheads and other evidence of bow use show that the bow was used in northern Europe around 10,000 B.C.

In 5000 B.C., Egyptians used the bow in their war against the Persians.

Around 2800 B.C., the Egyptians developed the "composite bow." Using this device, archers mounted on light chariots became a devestating military force. This bows could fire as far as 400 yards. Akkadian archers conquered Sumeria in 2500 B.C. Evidence shows that the Chinese had crossbows in 1500 B.C. Chinese nobility of the time were taught mathematics and archery.

There are some references to gravity powered semi-automatic Chinese Crossbows as early as 400 B.C.

The armies of Alexander the Great attributed much of ifs success to mobile archery, a tactic used also by Hannibal. Guerilla warfare tactics were used against invading Romans in Parthia--hit and run with the bow and arrow.

With the invention of the stirrup, mounted archers became even more ferocious, being able to stand to aim. The composite bow was still used around 500 A.D.

King Harold was believed to have been killed by an arrow through the eye. Also killed by archery were William II and King Richard.

One of the most powerful armies in history used the bow as a primary weapon. The maruading hordes of Genghis Khan were expert archers with composite bows capable of killing someone 300 yards away--their bows reached a maximum distance of 600 yards.

Famous archers include a Swiss folkhero, William Tell, an excellent shot with a crossbow.

The Battle of Halidon Hill, where 22,000 Scottish calvalry were thwarted by 2000 archers and 500 English knights. This gave an example of the power of the yew longbow, superior for a number of reasons to be later addressed. Also, The Battle of Agincourt where 6000 English archers defeated a French army of 30,000 knights and infantry.

The longbow became a sportsman's device when the musket replaced it during the 1500s.

In 1798 A.D. a record 972-yard longbow shot is performed by Sultan Selim. This is yet to be surpassed.

In 1934, Wisconsin is the first state with an official bow-hunting season.

The Compound Bow is introduced in 1970--this is a bow that uses mechanical aids in the shot.

Throughout the 20th century, increasing knowledge of physics has led to many continuing advances in archery.