At the request of Zayed National Museum, Factum Arte and Factum Foundation produced a reconstruction of archery equipment from the Iron Age II through the Mleiha Period. This project further expands the series of replicas of Bronze Age weapons, though addressing the more fragile, organic weapons that have not survived the passage of time—unlike the metal swords, daggers and lances reconstructed in earlier phases.

Dated between roughly 900 BCE and 100 CE, these reconstructions evoke a period in which communities across southeastern Arabia refined the tools of survival, exchange, and negotiation of territory. The bow, arrows and quiver have been recreated through a process that combines fragmentary archaeological evidence from Mleiha (Sharjah, United Arab Emirates) and Adam (al-Dakhiliyya, Oman) with practical expertise drawn from contemporary archery and traditional craftsmanship.

Each reconstruction was informed by the interplay between material behaviour, mechanical function and archaeological plausibility. The result is a set of objects whose authenticity lies in the logic of their making as much as in their appearance—functional weapons that embody the technical knowledge of ancient Arabian archers.

A small bronze bow discovered at Mudhmar East near Adam, Oman (Iron Age II, 900–600 BCE) provided the only surviving reference from the region. Although non-functional, it offered a reliable indication of bow form and proportion. Assyrian reliefs depicting Arabian archers were examined for iconographic context but approached critically due to their stylised representation.

The reconstructed bow reproduces the logic of a traditional horn-and-sinew composite weapon whilst remaining stable under contemporary environmental conditions. The core consists of laminated wood for flexibility and balance. The back (compression face) is reinforced with bio-composite horn, whilst the belly (tension face) features pressed sinew laminate. A thin fibreglass intermediary layer provides stabilisation to mitigate the effects of heat and humidity without compromising the weapon's historical character.

The grip and siyahs (the stiff ends of the bow's body) were reinforced with horn and bound in sinew to emulate the tactile and structural qualities of ancient bows. Natural adhesives were substituted with selective modern resins to ensure long-term stability without altering appearance. The finished bow exhibits a smooth draw, low resonance and accurate release—closely approximating the mechanical behaviour of historical weapons of similar proportion.

The arrows were reconstructed by studying and replicating the geometry, weight and forging marks of a series of iron tanged arrowheads excavated at Mleiha, UAE. Experimental archaeologist, blacksmith and arrow maker Will Sherman was consulted in order to forge functional and accurate replicas. Each arrowhead was forged by hand as the originals would have been.

A tanged arrowhead, in contrast to a socketed arrowhead, extends with a pin at its base which fits into a slot in the middle of the arrow shaft for secure attachment. The shafts were reconstructed in cedar wood—chosen for its comparable density and flexibility to ghaf and mangrove, both now ecologically protected species in the UAE. Fletchings were made from dyed turkey feathers to replicate the aerodynamic qualities of large raptor feathers commonly used in ancient archery.

Each arrow was assembled with a hand-forged iron point, sinew binding and adhesive fixing. Shafts were cut to 75 cm, fletching length to 16 cm, and arrowhead to 10 cm (9 cm exposed, 1 cm tang fitted into the shaft). Once assembled, the arrows were individually tested for balance, weight distribution and stable flight when paired with the reconstructed bow. This practical testing formed an essential phase of the experimental archaeology process, providing empirical data on draw weight, range and flight stability. They are functional arrows.

Bronze quivers discovered near Adam, Oman provided the dimensional and formal reference for the reconstructed pieces. As the originals were likely ceremonial rather than functional, they still offered valuable insight into quiver form and capacity. Each replica quiver was produced in calf leather, selected as a lighter and more historically appropriate material than metal. The leather was cut, shaped and stitched to match the original proportions: 56.5 cm in height, with a base length of 19 cm expanding to 21 cm at the top, and a diagonal measurement of 29 cm.

The design accommodates clusters of 25 arrows, held in close formation to prevent tangling. A leather strap and adjustable base sleeve allow for comfortable carriage and quick access during use. The surface was left with a natural matte finish to approximate aged leather rather than modern polish.

This project demonstrates how experimental archaeology can recover technical knowledge embedded in fragmentary material evidence. By reconstructing not only the appearance but the mechanical performance of these weapons, Factum has created functional objects that illuminate the sophistication of ancient Arabian archery technology—from composite bow engineering to the aerodynamics of fletched arrows.

The reconstructions serve as interpretive tools that bridge the gap between archaeological fragments and living practice, offering museum visitors insight into the material intelligence that shaped warfare, hunting and social dynamics in the Arabian Peninsula during the Copper, Bronze and Iron Ages.