The warrior’s bow was made of a young olive tree branch. It is the oldest bow known to be preserved in the Near East, and the earliest extant example of the double convex type. It was ritually broken, or “killed,” symbolizing the end of its use following the death of its owner.

Bows of this type were depicted in Egyptian art such as the predynastic “Hunter’s Palette,” shown in the photograph below. The well- designed weapon, probably produced with basic stone tools of the period, marks an important stage in the development of the bow from a simple stick and piece of string to the elaborate composite bow that ruled warfare for thousands of years.

The fragmentary arrow, of olive wood and reed, was found next to the bow. The projectile point was missing.