Study pinpoints when bow and arrow came to North America

Radiocarbon results suggest a single origin and rapid diffusion through cultural transition networks.

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[DaleL]

The Norse (Vikings) are known to have reached Greenland about 1,100 years ago (900 C.E.) They were known to have built buildings in Newfoundland 1,000 years ago. The Norse sagas hint at earlier explorations. Natives of Iceland have genetic material that must have originated from one or more Native Americans. There is a gap in the known contact history of 300 or 400 years, but it would seem possible that there was earlier contact between the Norse and Native Americans. The bow was a prominent weapon of the Norse.

It would be interesting to compare the characteristics of the earliest North American bows with those of Norse bows of the same age. If they are similar in design, it would be suggestive that Native Americans got the design from contact with Vikings.