Experimental Arrow Wounds: Ballistics and Traumatology
Author(s): Bernd Karger; Hubert Sudhues; B P Knewubuehl; BRINKMANN B.
Year: 1998
Summary
J. Whittaker: Medical experiments, longbow, compound bow, crossbow. Pig carcasses, soap, gelatin targets at 8 m. Velocity 45 m/s longbow to 67 m/s compound bow. Penetration in non-bone tissue 17-60 cm, depending on velocity and type of arrowhead. Ribs always perforated, thick bone not, extraction from bone difficult. Although arrows are light and low velocity, much less kinetic energy than bullet, but they penetrate by cutting and stabbing, and have high sectional density, i.e. they are long so have lots of mass per cross-section area. Less tissue damage and bleeding than gunshot wounds.
Cite this Record
Experimental Arrow Wounds: Ballistics and Traumatology. Bernd Karger, Hubert Sudhues, B P Knewubuehl, BRINKMANN B.. Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care. 45 (3): 495-501. 1998 ( tDAR id: 423370)
Keywords
General
Atlatl
•
bow & arrow
Temporal Keywords
Newest Era
Individual & Institutional Roles
Contact(s): EXARC Experimental Archaeology Collection Manager
Record Identifiers
ExArc Id(s): 10181
Notes
Rights & Attribution: The information in this record was originally compiled by Dr. Roeland Paardekooper, EXARC Director.