The Bow and Cultural Complexity of the Canadian Plains. Issue 3 (17th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Walde, Dale
• Is Part Of: Evolutionary anthropology. Volume 22:Issue 3(2013:May/Jun.)
• Page Start: 139
• Page End: 144
• Publication Date: 2013-06-17
• Subjects: Human evolution -- Periodicals; Anthropology -- Periodicals; Physical anthropology -- Periodicals; Human ecology -- Periodicals; Homme -- Évolution -- Périodiques; Anthropologie -- Périodiques; Écologie humaine -- Périodiques; 599.905
• DOI: 10.1002/evan.21354
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1060-1538

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>The timing and circumstances of the introduction of the bow and arrow into past North American economic and social lifeways have been sources of interest and controversy among archeologists for a very long time. Initial interpretations of the adoption of the bow and arrow generally seem to have been based on the rather straightforward assumption of functional superiority as a hunting tool. That is, the bow and arrow was simply a better instrument than the atlatl‐dart technology it replaced.<xref ref-type="link" rid="evan21354-bib-0001">1</xref><xref ref-type="link" rid="evan21354-bib-0002">2</xref> More recently, however, researchers exploring the effectiveness of the atlatl as a hunting tool have responded with studies that challenge the assumed universal functional superiority of the bow and arrow as a hunting device.<xref ref-type="link" rid="evan21354-bib-0003">3</xref><xref ref-type="link" rid="evan21354-bib-0004">4</xref><xref ref-type="link" rid="evan21354-bib-0005">5</xref> Social coercion and warfare theory presents an alternative perspective on the adoption of the bow and arrow.</p> </abstract>