Cliff Savage - The Sling for Sport and Survival

The exact origin of the sling is difficult to determine, because the actual device decomposed, and because the ammunition, being mere stones, is not distinctive to archaeologists. The sling was mans first missile weapon. It is likely that the sling was the first long-distance weapon. It certainly predated the bow, and is believed to go back in history at least 10,000 years.

What we call a sling probably developed from a simpler weapon: a stone attached to a length of vine or leather or animal sinew. This early primitive device was swung then thrown at the target from a safe distance. The problem with this weapon was that it had to be retrieved after use, and that it simply was not very effective. This rope-and-stone is believed to be the immediate predecessor of two popular weapons that are still in use today: the sling, and the bola.

The relationship between the primitive weapon described above and the sling and bola is illustrated below. The bola consists of three ropes attached together at one end, and attached to three stones or metal bars at the other ends of the ropes. When thrown with skill, it injures the prey either by hitting it, or tangling around its legs and tripping it up. The sling separates the rope and stone, so that the rope can be reused, while the stone need not be retrieved. Both weapons were large improvements in design over the primitive rope-and-stone. They are faster, more accurate, and hit with deadly force.

A rock tied to a piece of rope or vine (top) led to the creation of the bola (right) and the sling (left).

One of the amazing facts about the history of the sling is that traces of its use can be found in nearly every region of the world. Historical records show that the sling was used in Asia, Africa, North and South America, the Middle East, and particularly in Europe. There are also records of the slings use on many Pacific Islands. Archaeologists have found piles of literally thousands of rounded stones that could have been stored for no other reason.

The Bible has several references to the sling, the most famous of which is the story of David and Goliath. In the First Book of Samuel, the Bible says that David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. This brief encounter illustrates exactly how useful the sling was in early history.

David was a small guy, and Goliath a giant by historical standards. In hand-to-hand-combat, David didnt stand a chance. With the sling, however, he could keep his distance. David had been a shepherd before joining the ranks of Sauls army. As a shepherd, he was very familiar with the use of the sling, since it was used to keep the flock from straying too far, and to ward off any dangerous predators.

Saul tried to load David up with armor and weapons, but the young warrior would have non of it. His big advantage was his mobility. Goliath was covered with armor, a shield, a helmet, and leg gear. As such, Goliath could not easily move to chase David. The distance David was able to keep from the giant gave him the operating room he needed.

David was a very good shot. When he hit Goliath in the forehead, he struck the only unprotected part of the giants body. Such accuracy is probably not an exaggeration. Had David missed, he still had four other stones to hurl against his enemy. He was confident enough of his shot to feel certain that he would fell the giant in five shots.

There are other references to slingers in the Bible, too. The Book of Judges proclaims the ability of the left-handed slingers of Benjamin, who inflicted heavy casualties against the Israelites: Every one could sling stones at a hair breadth, and not miss. Other biblical accounts of slingers are made in the Second Book of Chronicles and the Second Book of Kings.

There is a reference made to the sling in Homers Iliad, but only briefly in passing. One reason that there are not more accounts of slinging in ancient tests is that it was not considered a noble form of combat as hand-to-hand combat was. But that does not mean slinging was not an important military tool.

Peltists, which included slingers, archers, and javelin throwers, were usually the initial combat force in battle during classical Greek times. Their blows exposed weak points in the enemy formation which the armored infantry then attacked. If the battle was going the wrong way, the peltists provided enough time for retreat, since armored warriors were burdened by their heavy coats. Indeed, the historian Manfred Korfmann in his article The Sling as a Weapon, (see ) states that Any army that entered battle without peltists was as good as defeated.