Under the water column of Lake Bracciano (Italy), archaeologists discovered the flooded Neolithic settlement of La Marmotta, which preserved an exceptional collection of wooden weapons.
As part of the study published above Journal of Archaeological Science: Report19 onions dating back more than 7,500 years were analyzed. They provide a unique opportunity to study early archery technology.
What type of wood is the bow made from?
Archaeological analysis has identified six types of wood: hornbeam, honeysuckle, alder, dogwood, ash and holm oak.
“All the bows functioned normally, despite the lack of yew. The residents of La Marmotta adapted the design to suit the characteristics of each type of stone,” researcher L. Caruso Ferme explains.
Hornbeam provides compressive strength, ash combines elasticity with impact resistance, soft and hard poplar wood, durable holm oak and honeysuckle are suitable for shaping parts. Even alder, which is softer, can be used effectively. Experimental archeology confirms that these woods are suitable for making bows and arrows.
The submerged settlement is like an underwater museum
La Marmotta is located just 300 meters from the modern coast at a depth of 11 meters. Wooden houses and farms were buried under a layer of sediment and low oxygen levels created ideal conditions for the preservation of organic materials.
The Neolithic communities of La Marmotta combined farming and hunting. Animal remains include deer, wild boar, foxes and waterfowl. The discovery of flint and obsidian arrowheads suggests that the bow was used actively and not just symbolically.
“Archery is an important factor for survival, providing prey at long distances,” the researchers noted.
forest management
The diversity of wood reflects the ecological flexibility of the inhabitants. Similar species are used for construction, boats, agricultural tools, and hunting equipment. There is no evidence of strict specialization: communities worked with what nature gave them, combining hunting, building and farming.
“The inhabitants did not depend on an 'ideal' tree. They knew how to use every type available. This approach is reminiscent of modern sustainable resource management and highlights the adaptability of early farmers,” Caruso Ferme explains.
Rethinking Neolithic technology
The bows of La Marmotta show that the people of that time knew how to combine old traditions with new conditions. Archery techniques retained knowledge of forest resources but were adapted to the lives of farmers, combining hunting, farming, and forest use into a single, sustainable system. These findings provide a rare glimpse into the skill and high understanding of nature of the early inhabitants of the Mediterranean.
