Archers at Ugarit: archaeology of archery at the site of Tel Ras Shamra

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article examines the role of archery in the city-state of Ugarit and argues that archery was more central to the military establishment than previously suggested. The article examines key texts found at the site, archaeological remains dug up in the early stages of Ugaritic research, and looks at the focus of archaeology on chariots rather than any other forms of warfare to suggest that archery was more fundamental to life in Ugarit and contemporary research has ignored this in favour of chariot-driven narratives. This study reveals important outcomes as its presence suggests that there was an archery connection between the palace and populace. In addition, its presence at the site and place as a part of the Ugaritic military structure is likely to have been more central to it than has been previously suggested. It strongly argues against positions advanced by Juan Pablo Vita and Marguerite Yon that have advocated for a primary role for chariots at Ugarit and it serving as a chariot entrepot. The interpretation argues for a position less towards chariotry and more towards a view that individual city-states, specifically Ugarit, and societies valued different weapons and that weapons were not evenly or monolithically applied.