The Dawn of Civilization 



he could strike a more telling blow and at a farther and 

 safer distance than could be done with a club. 



The next step in primitive mechanical development was 

 one of the most important that the world has ever known. 

 It was the invention of the bow and arrow. Primitive man 

 had learned that flint could be flaked and chipped into a 

 sharp edged and pointed instrument and that this instru- 

 ment could be fastened in the end of a shaft that could be 

 stabbed or thrown into the body of a beast, thereby produc- 

 ing a mortal wound. A piece of flexible wood was bent into 

 the shape of a segment of a circle and held in this position 

 by a piece of animal skin attached to each end of the stick. 

 This was the simple process of developing the bow. By 

 using a smaller flint tipped shaft, the arrow came into being. 

 By flexing the bow into a larger segment and by suddenly 

 releasing the string, the flint tipped arrow could be thus 

 propelled instantly and accurately for great distances. The 

 use of the bow and arrow became the common weapon of all 

 mankind. It was in use for unknown centuries in every part 

 of the world where man has had a habitation. It was and 

 now is used by every savage tribe of people, wherever found. 

 It has been in use for a greater period of time than has that 

 of any other weapon ever made. It was the weapon of 

 war used by all the ancient nations. With its use primitive 

 man could strike more death dealing blows and at a farther 

 and safer distance than he could do with any other means 

 at his command. It overcame the advantages of superior 

 strength and size, of tusks, teeth and claws which the wild 

 beasts possessed. It was the weapon that prepared the 



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