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Steppe Composite Bow

Type Object Region Eurasian steppe Time c. -1000

The steppe composite bow, a recurved composite bow long used by Eurasian steppe nomads of layered wood, horn and sinew, was small, powerful and long-…

Timeline

  1. c. 901–950Semirechye and the northern slopes of the Tianshan · SemirechyeCavalry of Turkic polities such as the Kara-Khanid Khanate were commonly equipped with short composite bows, and with mounted archery, feigned retreats and flanking maneuvers displayed high mobility advantages against Samanid frontier forces and in conflicts with steppe tribes.
  2. c. 950–1000Southern Mongolian Plateau · Mongolian PlateauBowyers used horn on the inner side, sinew on the outer side and a wooden core, bonded with fish glue and repeatedly bent into shape, producing a small powerful bow that could be stowed beside the saddle; long training was required to achieve mounted-archery effectiveness.
  3. c. 992–1000Around Samarkand · TransoxianaTurkic cavalry combined the composite bow's long-range suppression with rapid charges, playing a key role in the Kara-Khanid conquest of the Samanid Dynasty, highlighting the structural impact of steppe horse archers on settled empires' frontier defense systems.

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