Early Neolithic bows recovered from a submerged settlement in central Italy are reshaping how archaeologists understand hunting technology among early farming communities. A new study shows that these bows were made from a wide range of local woods, suggesting flexibility rather than strict rules in material choice during the early Neolithic period.
The research, led by Caruso Fermé L of IPCSH-CONICET in Argentina, focuses on La Marmotta, an underwater site in Lake Bracciano near Rome. The settlement dates to the Early Neolithic and is known for its remarkable preservation of wooden artifacts. According to the study, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, the bows show that hunting remained an active part of daily life even as agriculture took hold.
Researchers analyzed 19 wooden bows recovered during excavations carried out between the 1990s and early 2000s. At least 35 bows have been identified at the site overall, making La Marmotta one of the richest known Neolithic bow assemblages in Europe. Most other sites yield only isolated or fragmentary examples.
Early Neolithic bows show diverse wood selection
The analysis identified six different types of wood used to make the bows. Hornbeam was the most common, followed by wayfaring tree. Single examples were made from alder, dogwood, ash, and evergreen oak. All of these species were part of the mixed Mediterranean woodland that surrounded the settlement.
Caruso Fermé and colleagues explain that while these woods possess mechanical qualities suitable for bow making, they are not the most typical choices seen in other Neolithic contexts.
Early Neolithic bows found underwater in Italy reveal how early farmers still relied on hunting and used a wide range of local woods to make their weapons. The study offers rare insight into prehistoric technology and daily life. pic.twitter.com/HRcwnVgJ6X
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) February 17, 2026
This diversity suggests that bow makers did not rely on a single preferred species. Instead, they appear to have selected wood based on availability within the local environment.
The findings align with what archaeologists already know about wood use at La Marmotta. Other tools and structures from the site show similar patterns, with craftsmen drawing from a broad range of nearby resources. The study argues that bow production followed the same practical approach rather than a specialized or restrictive tradition.
Bows show hunting remained part of Neolithic life
Bows play a key role in understanding Neolithic societies. Although farming defined the era, archery points to the continued importance of hunting. Bows allowed hunters to strike from a distance and required skill to manufacture and use. Their presence highlights a balance between agricultural life and older subsistence practices.
Because wood rarely survives in archaeological settings, early Neolithic bows are usually found only in waterlogged or frozen sites. La Marmotta’s underwater conditions preserved these objects in exceptional condition, offering rare insight into prehistoric technology.
The researchers note that further work is underway to study how these bows were made and how their materials affected performance. Together, these findings show that early Neolithic bows were not bound by rigid material choices but reflected adaptable use of the surrounding forest.
