Chinese Traditional Weaponry

Stone Arrowheads

During the Stone Age, conflictions between rival clans would fight using keen-edged productive and hunting tools. Thus, the development rudimentary weapons had begun. The earliest weapons utilized may well have been the bow or spear as these would be readily available for hunting. In archaeological studies, a grave was uncovered with a body whose skeleton, penetrated by a bone arrowhead illustrates the transfer from tool to weapon.

In that age, stone axes were very popular tools and amongst the earliest weapons. It evolved over millennia becoming thinner, sharper, and harder culminating in the Tomahawk or throwing axe. It was not only a popular weapon but also a symbol of social status. A jade tomahawk discovered in the tomb of a noble proves that at that early time artisans are already producing ceremonial weaponry - on its upper corner is the carving - an immortal riding Tigerlike beast, and on the lower corner was the pattern of a bird.
 

The Stone Age is so named because it was the period of human technological development where all tools were made of stone. As the times progressed and society evolved, the development of stone tools improved steadily. Thus, according to the shape and complexity of these tools, the Stone Age has been divided into three parts - the Paleolithic Age, the Mesolithic Age and the Neolithic Age.
 

Stone Bolas, Bow and Bone Arrowheads

During the Stone Age people were able to make textile goods and pottery, and they developed farming and animal husbandry, which allowed them to remain living in one place.

The Paleolithic Age refers to the stage of human cultural development marked by the use of chipped stone tools. This age extends over a long period of time from about 2,500,000 to 10,000 years before the present era. It is generally divided into early, middle and late periods, and correspond approximately the existence of three human species - Homo habilis, Homo erectus, early Homo sapiens and late Homo sapiens.

During this period, people made simple tools mainly for hunting and gathering. Stone weapons were made from different stones. For example, basalt and sandstone were made into sharpening tools. Firestone and chert were used as sharpened weapons or tools. Bones, timber, antlers and shells were also widely used as tools or weapons. The clay was made into pottery.

Peking Man discovered in Zhoukoudian in Beijing was one such Neolithic Man. They used stone weapons and wooden sticks to hunt wild animals and lived mainly in caves and gathered fruit for meals. Marks made from ash, burned bones and stones reflect that people at that time knew how to use fire. Besides Peking Man, the Lantian Man, Yuanmou Man and the Upper Cave Man all lived in this period of time.
 

Stone Axe

Bone Awl, Bone Knife, Bone Dagger

The Mesolithic Age is a time that was about 12,000 years ago. It was the transitional stage from the Paleolithic Age to the Neolithic Age. During this time the Ice Age ended and the climate became warmer. People began to change their way of life. The economy of hunting and gathering underwent a considerable development. It features the appearance of a small instrument composed of firestones. In some regions of the world, stone axes, fishing tools and wooden artifacts like canoes and oars have been discovered.

The New Stone Age is the last period of the Stone Age, defined as the period when sharpened tools were used. During this period of time, people were engaged in farming and animal husbandry. In this period in China, civilizations like Yangshao Culture, Hemudu Culture and Xishiqi Culture appeared.