Posted on 03/24/2015 7:21:49 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Archaeologists have recently discovered the most complete ancient crossbow to date in the terracotta army pit one in Xi'an, Shaanxi province.
Among hundreds of pieces of crossbows unearthed in the past, this one is said to be the best-preserved in general, with a 145cm arch and a 130cm bow string. The bow string has a smooth surface which experts believe to be made from animal tendon instead of fabric and the trigger mechanism is made of bronze, according to Shen Maosheng, head of the archaeological team.
Shen also points out that this new discovery sheds light on how Qing, two wooden sticks usually discovered alongside the weapon, were used to maintain and transport the crossbows in ancient times. Although ancient documents often mentioned Qing, its function had never been clearly identified until this recent discovery.
"When we dusted off the sticks, we found three holes equidistant from each other and concluded that they were probably used to hang up ropes that fastened the crossbows when they were not in use," Shen said.
"It was a great way to keep the arch and string in shape and thus maintain their power in the long run. Besides, Qing was practical to help fix the crossbows during transportation."
The best crossbows' shooting range could double that of an AK47, reaching almost 800m, Yuan Zhongyi, former curator of Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors told Huashang Daily.
The discovery of the complete set of crossbows will help scientists to create the most precise model of the weapon and calculate its shooting range more accurately.
(Excerpt) Read more at ecns.cn ...
The early settlers also all commented on how tall the Indians were.
Compared to the diet of the old world which was wheat based and lacked variety for the poor it is not surprising that they grew taller and stronger.
And if your “Lord of the Manor” caught you eating HIS deer etc, your xxx was grass....
You couldn't gather wood in his lordships woods or let your animals graze in his fields.
They were nearly dead when they were liberated.
They said their guards just ‘disappeared’ and they walked away from the rubble of the factory that had been bombed to smithereens.
Before long the Americans walked through their town. The people crowded to the street to see them and at first weren't sure who they were. They had seen soldiers going through their streets for decades.
She said the soldiers were like giants and she had never seen anything like it. The soldiers' uniforms of course, were in tatters but their equipment was incredible. They were all grubby from living rough for weeks, but she said she had NEVER seen such humble self-assurance, such nonchalant esprit de corps and once she saw the insignia and US flag on their coats, she started to cry. She said, ‘We knew then that we were free and would get decent treatment’.
These two girls were Hungarian Jews and their families had been comfortable. They were educated and spoke a couple languages, so the officer she introduced her self to immediately gave them a chit for food and clothes and the address they should go to for work as interpreters.
Yup...."America, the great Satan!!"
We have so many reasons to be proud of our country and our countrymen. I love hearing and reading stories like that. Contrast that with something I read in “The Last Battle,” by Cornelius Ryan, about the Battle of Berlin. A Soviet soldier burst into a house looking for National Socialists to kill. The women inside cowered, but we’re sure they were about get raped (again). The soldier told them, in broken German, they didn’t have to worry about him, it was the second and third waves behind him that will rape them and loot their home.
Americans uniform are the face of the US wherever they are deployed... and I am always proud of them in what I see and read.
I work on a university campus and the MOST courteous and decent kids here are ROTC.
“I work on a university campus and the MOST courteous and decent kids here are ROTC.”
I believe that!
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