[Aztlan] Question about arrows and arch

[Justin Kerr]

Dear Rene,
This is a negative reply.
In searching the Maya Vase Database, I have not found any indications of the
use of arrows or the suggestion that during the period that vases were
painted, incised, or carved that "bows and arrows" were in use. The only
"weapons of flight" that are observed is the use of either the blowgun or
the atl-atl. 
Here I may be a heretic, but the very early accounts of the use of the bow
and arrow may be a product of imagination on the part of the Europeans who
made assumptions that bows must be in use when shafts from atl-atls were
flying about them. 
In doing quick glance through the pages of various "maticula de tributos" of
the Aztec times ones does not find any "bows or arrows" depicted.
In Western Mexican art, Colima for example, there are depictions of the use
of the sling, but again no arrows.
If anyone has any images of the use of the "bow and arrow" in Mesoamerica, I
would be happy to know about them.
Justin Kerr

-----Original Message-----
From: aztlan-bounces at lists.famsi.org [mailto:aztlan-bounces at lists.famsi.org]
On Behalf Of GuateWeb - Posada Belen
Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2007 3:15 PM
To: aztlan at lists.famsi.org
Subject: [Aztlan] Question about arrows and arch

Dear Listeros

I will like to ask if is any one who can point me to some light about when
the inhabitants of mesoamerica and specially Guatemala started the use of
the arrow and archs? and if any study/information about the rock weels
(known as "donas") that are so common in Guatemala?

Thank you for any help

Rene Sanchinelli
www.posadabelen.com
www.guatemalaweb.com
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