Oldest Archeological Hornbow with Siyahs: The Yrzi
Channel: Historical Weapons
Date: 2021-05-13

In this video, we will examine a particular composite bow excavated near the ancient city of Dura Europos near Modern Syria. We will talk about the Yrzi Bow, this is one of the earliest examples of bows with siyahs, from approximately 2000 years ago. It’s a historical bow dated around the time and location of the Roman–Parthian Wars, a bow possibly used by the Roman Auxiliary Syrians, Armenian and Persian cavalry archers. After we talk about the history, I will show you some replicas. 

I might make a mini-documentary series called: "The History of Archery", if this goes well. It will be of low budget like this video, since I'm working mostly alone.

Frank Edward Brown was a Mediterranean archaeologist who went to Syria in 1932 to excavate at Dura-Europos,  with help from Yale University and the Académie des Inscriptions. Now Dura europos is an ancient city around 300 BC to 250 AD approximately, situated in modern-day eastern Syria, with Hellenistic, Parthian and Roman influences. In 1937, Mr. Brown published an article called "A Recently Discovered Compound Bow," Now btw I do want to address that during the 1930s, they called composite bows compound bows. Back then the modern compound bow with wheels haven’t been invented yet. 

The bow to be discussed in the following video was part of a burial in the necropolis of Baghousz, which is approximately 40 kms southeast of Dura Europos, along the Euphrates river. The name comes from the tomb of the necropolis Baghousz 40kms southeast of Dura Europos. It was dated to be approximately 1st century BC to 3rd century AD.  Unstrung, it originally measured 1.47m, along the curve or 1.275 from tip to tip. It was made of wood, horn, sinew, and bone. 

This bow looks similar to early Assyrian bows. Since this bow is dated around the time of the Roman Parthian war, some people may ask about bows of Parthian origin.  Was it a mixture of different bow designs, such as some influenced by nomadic cultures, some influenced by Persians, some influenced by Syrians? 

_______________________________________________

Citation for Yale University:
Date: May 11, 2021
Publication: A Historical Composite Bow during the Roman Parthian Wars: The Yrzi Bow
Title Organization/Publisher: Historical Archery YouTube Channel

Arch at Gate of Septimus Seeverus,  Dura Europos

Yrzi Bow from Baghousz cemetery
1981.62.45
‘a detail.’

Coin of Phraates III
2001.87.15028
‘a detail.’

Parthian rider
1935.58

(Yale University Art Gallery, Dura-Europos Collection)
Various images from the shrine of the Mithraeum, showing Mithras hunting
‘a detail.’

Map of Dura Europos
y 698b
‘a detail.’

Aerial image of Dura, 1932
Z 1
‘a detail.’


All other images used outside of Yale University are of public domain and cited in the video, or are my own images/images of people's work who gave me permission.

Music:
Expeditionary Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Mystery Bazaar Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Special thanks to Stefan, ATARN community, Sammy Dee, Justin Ma, Alex, and Yale University.
also thank you Total War ROME 2
#syrian