Description
An arrow is usually the part of a bow and arrow that is shot, but there are also throwing arrows and special variations for blowguns, among others. Throughout the centuries, arrows have been made in various shapes and materials. Their construction used clamps, glue, or thin binding materials, either alone or in combination. Because consistency of performance was essential for the archer, arrow making required great attention to detail. An arrow consists of three primary parts: the point, the shaft, and the fletching. Of ancient arrows, usually only the points remain, as these were often made of durable material. For stable flight, the point must be weighted to shift the center of gravity forward, and for use as a weapon, the point must be sharp and sturdy. The design of the point had to balance aerodynamic properties with the need to mortally wound or seriously injure the target. In prehistoric times, arrowheads were made of flint or obsidian. Both materials are suitable for forming sharp edges: flint was worked with sharp tools to chip off sharp fragments, while obsidian naturally has sharp edges due to its crystalline structure. Bone fragments or plant thorns were also used, or the shaft of the arrow was simply sharpened. In later periods, bronze and iron were used; metals could be shaped more precisely by forging and casting than stone and were easier to produce in large quantities. Sometimes the arrowhead was dipped in poison or barbed for increased effect.
