Sixth Grade
Worksheets
Making the Mark with Archery
Swish! Archers have made their mark for thousands of years. Arrows that whizzed through the air have changed the course of history. Primitive people hunted with them. They used them in warfare. Bows and arrows have also played a part in many myths. Bold Odysseus carried this weapon on his amazing journeys. Archery is still a popular sport today.
Archery's beginnings are a bit uncertain. However, it was a vital part of many early cultures. Stone arrowheads have been found in Africa that may have been made about 25,000 B.C. It is believed that the bow and arrow were invented there. Ancient bows have also been discovered in Denmark. These might date back to between 8,000 and 6,000 B.C.
The Egyptians loved archery. They used well-trained archers on their light chariots. Their bows were as tall as men! They made arrows from reeds. They tipped them with flint heads. Archery was necessary for hunting and also during war. Even pharaohs liked to prove their skill with the bow and arrow. Pharaohs shooting arrows were painted on tomb walls.
