Exotic ancient weapons: (II) Nagamaki

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The Nagamaki ("long-wrapped handle", also known as Nagakami) is a medieval type of Japanese polearm (it can also be considered a sword - its handling art is more sword-like).European medieval polearms were usually spears with axeheads (halberd), while Japanese ones were usually swords with much lengthened shafts/grips. Europeans also had the latter (glaive), but the importance of both categories was reversed.The most important and most famous Japanese polearm is surely the Naginata, which is similar to a Katana blade on a very long shaft.An early rival to the Naginata was the Nagamaki. Unlike the Naginata, it had about as much shaft length as blade length. At least some Nagamakis blades were furthermore straight instead of curved (still one-edged, though) and thus better usable as spears at the small expense of lesser slashing and cutting qualities.The Nagamaki first attracted my interest because of its look, but it's also an interesting example of a weapon being optimised for a niche.The long shaft offered some stand-off in melee, while the long blade made it easier to hit difficult targets in slashing movements. Target such as horse legs, for example - a target that was supposedly an important one for Nagamaki wielder in the 12th to 14th century. It did fit the same purpose as the Chinese Zhanmadao, a curved sword with very long blade. The Japanese also followed this path with the Nodachi. The Nagamaki apparently lost relevance when mounted combat lost relevance in Japanese warfare. ("Das Lexikon der Kampfkünste", Werner Lind).Cost-wise, Nagamakis were more expensive than Naginatas because of the longer blade, but less expensive than the likewise rare Nodachis. Many Nagamakis were probably modified to swords with normal grip length during the 15th and 16th centuries, and it appears as if in part for this reason no extant medieval copies are known.Two-handed weapons like this had a very different history in Europe than in East Asia.European two-handed weapons were either spears for close-order tactics (hoplites, Landsknechte), used before body armour was commonly affordable (Germanic frame) or used after body armour became so extremely good that shields became unnecessary (halberds, glaives; late medieval age till 17th century). The European development ended in the bayonet.The Japanese did use two-hand weapons extensively in the medieval age without fitting into these categories well. Especially the Japanese warrior-monks with their Naginatas left an impression.

Two-hand weapons (especially spears) were also most important in Chinese military history, most likely because of the threat of mounted steppe warriors.

Eventually, East Asia adopted the bayonet as well for a few decades and the northern hemisphere was finally united in regard to two-handed melee weapons. Until then, there were both similarities and differences in two-hand melee weapon development - and the Nagamaki is as far as I know without a close Western counterpart.
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Weapons Invented by Different Countries

List of modern weapons by countryAustria
Glock series of semi-automatic pistols
Steyr M series of semi-automatic pistols
Steyr AUG assault rifle
Steyr Scout sniper rifle
Steyr TMP submachine gun
Steyr MPi 69 submachine gun.
Steyr HS .50 .50 BMG bolt-action rifle

Brazil
Boito shotguns and rifles
CBC shotguns and rifles
Imbel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMBEL_MD2
Rossi shotguns, rifles and revolvers
Taurus submachines, semi-automatic pistols and revolvers

Belgium
Fabrique Nationale Five-seveN semi-automatic pistol
FN FAL battle rifle
FN FNC assault rifle
FN MAG general purpose machine gun
FN P90 submachine gun
FN SCAR assault rifle
FN P35 "Hi-Power" semi-automatic pistol

Canada
Diemaco C7 assault rifle derivative of the M16
Diemeco C8 assault rifle derivative of the M4
Para-Ordnance Hi-Cap semi-automatic pistol, double stack variant of the M1911
Para-Ordnance LDA semi-automatic pistol, double action pistol based on the M1911
Para-Ordnance Hawg semi-automatic pistol, Micro-compact variant of the M1911
PGWDTI Timberwolf Tactical rifle (.338 Lapua Magnum and .408 Chey Tac chamberings)

China
Norinco QBZ-95 5.8 mm assault rifle with bullpup design
Norinco Type 88 Sniper rifle version of the QBZ-95
Norinco Type 87 5.8 mm assault rifle

Croatia
HS 2000 9 mm semi-automatic pistol

Finland
Valmet Rk 62

France
Alsetex 410 less lethal grenade
FAMAS assault rifle
Hispano-Suiza HS.404 20 mm autocannon
Hispano-Suiza HS.804 20 mm autocannon
Hispano-Suiza HS.820 20 mm autocannon
F1 20 mm autocannon

Germany
Heckler & Koch G3 7.62 mm battle rifle
Heckler & Koch G36 5.56 mm assault rifle
Heckler & Koch MP5 9 mm submachine gun
Heckler & Koch MP7 submachine gun
Heckler & Koch USP Series of semi-automatic pistols
Mauser BK-27 27 mm autocannon
Mauser MK 30F 30 mm autocannon
Rheinmetall Rh202 20 mm autocannon

Greece
EBO Aris IV anti-tank rocket system
EBO Kefefs sniper rifle

India
INSAS 5.56 mm assault rifle

Israel
Galil assault rifle
Israeli Military Industries Desert Eagle semi-automatic pistol
Israeli Military Industries Jericho 941 semi-automatic pistol (aka Uzi Eagle, Baby Eagle)
Israeli Military Industries Negev light machine gun
Israeli Military Industries Tavor TAR-21 assault rifle
Uzi submachine gun

Italy
Benelli M4 Super 90 shotgun
Beretta 92F/FS (M9) 9 mm semi-automatic pistol
Breda 35 20 mm automatic cannon

Poland
MAG95 - 9 mm semi-automatic pistol
WIST-94 - 9 mm semi-automatic pistol
Glauberyt wz.84 - 9 mm submachine gun
Tantal wz. 1988 - 5,45 mm assault rifle
Beryl wz.96 - 5,56 mm assault rifle
Karabinek maszynowy wz.2003 - 5.56 mm light machine gun
UKM-2000 - 7.62 mm general purpose machine gun
Alex - 7.62 mm sniper rifle
Tor - 12.7 mm sniper rifle

Philippines
MSSR - 5.56 mm semi-automatic sniper rifle

Russia and the Soviet Union
2A42 30 mm autocannon
AK-47 7.62 mm assault rifle produced and used worldwide
AK-74 5.45 mm assault rifle used as standard assault rifle of the Russian military
AN-94 5.45 mm assault rifle planned to replace the AK-74 in service
AS-94 5.45-39.5 mm Gas Operated Assault Rifle
AS Val 9 mm special purpose assault rifle
Bizon submachine gun
Dragunov SVD sniper rifle
VSSK Vykhlop special purpose silenced 12.7 mm sniper rifle
KSVK 12.7 mm anti-materiel sniper rifle
VSS Vintorez 9 mm silenced sniper rifle
Makarov PM 9 mm semi-automatic pistol
APS Stechkin 9 mm machine pistol
RPK 7.62 mm squad automatic weapon
RPK-74 5.45 mm squad automatic weapon
SKS semi-automatic rifle
DShK 12.7 mm heavy machine gun
Kord 12.7 mm heavy machine gun
NSV 12.7 mm heavy machine gun
KPV 14.5 mm heavy machine gun
RPG-7 anti-tank grenade launcher
9K38 Igla surface-to-air missile
PK machine gun

Singapore
Matador light antitank rocket launcher
SAR-21 assault rifle
Ultimax 100 section automatic weapon

South Africa
NeoStead 2000 shotgun
R1 7,62mm assault rifle, licensed copy of the FN FAL
Vektor R4 5,56mm assault rifle, a licensed copy of the Israeli Galil
Vektor R5 assault rifle, a shorter R4, similar to the Galil SAR
Vektor R6 assault rifle, a shorter R4, similar to the Galil MAR

Switzerland
Oerlikon KAA 20 mm autocannon
Oerlikon KAB 20 mm autocannon
Oerlikon KBA 25 mm autocannon
Oerlikon KDF 35 mm autocannon

United Kingdom
ADEN 25 25 mm autocannon
ADEN Mk 4 30 mm autocannon
L96 sniper rifle
Lee Enfield rifle
SA80 family of infantry rifles

United States
Barrett M82 semi-automatic sniper rifle
BGM-71 TOW heavy anti-tank guided missile
Bushmaster II 30 mm / 40 mm chain gun
Bushmaster III 35 mm / 50 mm chain gun
Colt Mk 12 20 mm autocannon
Colt Model 1900 semi-automatic pistol
Colt Model 1902 Sporting semi-automatic pistol
Colt Model 1902 Military semi-automatic pistol
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless semi-automatic pistol
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer semi-automatic pistol
Colt Model 1905 Military semi-automatic pistol
Colt Model 1907 Military semi-automatic pistol
Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket semi-automatic pistol
Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless semi-automatic pistol
Colt Model 1909 semi-automatic pistol
Colt Model 1910 semi-automatic pistol
DSA SA58 semi-automatic rifle, (American commercial derivative of the FN FAL)
Colt Model 1911 (1911A1) .45 cal. semi-automatic pistol
Dragon light anti-tank guided missile
Dragon Fire heavy automated mortar (under development as of 2006)
FIM-92 Stinger shoulder-launched surface-to-air missile
FGM-148 Javelin shoulder-launched anti-tank missile
M4 assault carbine
M14 7.62 mm battle rifle used as standard issue for the United States through the 1960s
M16 5.56 mm assault rifle used as current standard rifle of the United States and many other nations
M24 Sniper Weapon System
M39 20 mm autocannon
M168 Vulcan 6-barrel 20 mm Gatling gun
M40A1 7.62 mm sniper rifle
M40 sniper rifle
M47 Dragon light anti-tank guided missile
M60 7.62 mm general purpose machine gun
M60E3 7.62 mm general purpose machine gun
M61 Vulcan 6-barrel 20 mm Gatling gun
M79 grenade launcher
M230 30 mm chain gun
M238 30 mm autocannon
M240 7.62 mm general purpose machine gun (not US design - based on Belgium FN MAG)
M242 Bushmaster 25 mm chain gun
M249 5.56 mm light machine gun (not US design - based on Belgium FN Minimi)
M252 81 mm mortar
M270 rocket artillery system
M1911 .45 cal. semi-automatic pistol
Pancor Jackhammer automatic shotgun
Remington Model 700 series bolt-action rifle
Remington Model 710 series bolt-action rifle
Remington Model 7600 series pump-action rifles and carbines
Remington Model 870 series pump-action shotguns
Remington Model 11-87 series semi-automatic shotguns
Remington Model 7400 series semi-automatic rifles
Ruger BlackHawk revolver
Ruger 480 Super Redhawk revolver
Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon (SMAW)
Smith & Wesson Model 500 revolver
XM84 less lethal grenade

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History of weapons

A weapon is a tool employed to injure, defeat, or destroy an adversary.[1][2] Weapons may be used to attack and defend, and consequently also to threaten or protect. Metaphorically, anything used to damage (even psychologically) can be referred to as a weapon. A weapon can be as simple as a club or as complex as an intercontinental ballistic missile.

A weapon is an object that is used to increase the destructive range or power of a human and hunt for animals. From the earliest traces of mankind up to modern civilization, weapons have been a facet of human development. Weapons development has accelerated along with other areas of technology in more modern times. In ancient times, from the dawn of humanity through the Classical civilizations of Greece and Rome, weapons were primarily extensions of an individual's strength, essentially making up for the human body's lack of natural weapons such as claws. These weapons allowed the bearer to be substantially more deadly and lethal than a similar human without such a weapon. Although many weapons made in modern times were steel, wood ones were also very common.

The Medieval period, including the Middle Ages, marked a period of distinct advancement in weaponry. Due to some of the unique influences of the period, weapons revolved around two major areas. First was that of knights. These horsemen required new weapons, as well as promoting development of weapons to defeat them. Second was that of castles. The building of castles on a large scale necessitated new weapons to help defend and attack them.

The Renaissance marked the beginning of the implementation of combustion based devices in warfare. The most long-lasting effect of this was the introduction of cannon and firearms to the battlefield, where they are still at the core of modern weaponry. However, many other machines of war were experimented with.

From the American Revolution through the beginning of the 20th century, human-powered weapons were finally excluded from the battlefield for the most part. Sometimes referred to as the "Age of Rifles", this period was characterized by the development of firearms for infantry and cannons for support, as well as the beginnings of mechanized weapons such as the machine gun.

World War I marked the entry of fully industrialized warfare, and weapons were developed quickly to meet wartime needs. Many new technologies were developed, particularly in the development of military aircraft and vehicles. World War II however, perhaps marked the most frantic period of weapons development in the history of humanity. Massive numbers of new designs and concepts were fielded, and all existing technologies were improved between 1939 and 1945. Ultimately, the most powerful of all invented weapons was the Hydrogen bomb.

After World War II, with the onset of the Cold War, the constant technological development of new weapons was institutionalized, as participants engaged in a constant race to develop weapons and counter-weapons. This constant state of weapons development continues into the modern era, and remains a constant draw on the resources of most nations.

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weapons

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Combustion-Powered Weapons

Firearms are qualitatively different from earlier weapons because they store energy in a combustible propellant such as gunpowder, rather than in a weight or spring. This energy is released quite rapidly, and can be restored without much effort by the user, so that even early firearms such as the arquebus were much more powerful than human-powered weapons. They became increasingly important and effective during the 16th century to 19th century, with progressive improvements in ignition mechanisms followed by revolutionary changes in ammunition handling and propellant. During the U.S. Civil War various technologies including the machine gun and ironclad warship emerged that would be recognizable and useful military weapons today, particularly in lower-technology conflicts. In the 19th century warship propulsion changed from sail power to fossil fuel-powered steam engines.

The age of edged weapons ended abruptly just before World War I with rifled artillery, such as howitzers which are able to destroy any masonry fortress. This single invention caused a revolution in military affairs and doctrines that continues to this day. See Technology during World War I for a detailed discussion.

An important feature of industrial age warfare was technological escalation - an innovation could, and would, be rapidly matched by copying it, and often with yet another innovation to counter it. The technological escalation during World War I was profound, producing armed aircraft and tanks.

This continued in the period between the end of that war and the next, with continuous improvements of all weapons by all major powers. Many modern military weapons, particularly ground-based ones, are relatively minor improvements on those of World War II. See military technology during World War II for a detailed discussion.

The most notable development in weaponry since World War II has been the combination and further development of two weapons first used in it—nuclear weapons and the ballistic missile, leading to its ultimate configuration: the ICBM. The mutual possession of these by the United States and the Soviet Union ensured that either nation could inflict terrible damage on the other; so terrible, in fact, that neither nation was willing to instigate direct, all-out war with the other (a phenomenon known as Mutually Assured Destruction). The indiscriminate nature of the destruction has made nuclear-tipped missiles essentially useless for the smaller wars fought since. However computer-guided weaponry of all kinds, from precision-guided munitions (or "smart bombs") to computer-aimed tank rounds, has greatly increased weaponry's accuracy.

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List of Weapons According to its Type

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Welcome to Military Future Weapons

This is an introduction to the site "MILITARY FUTURE WEAPONS". Here you can have a better view and a bigger picture on the future when talking about weapons. Many took these scenario forgranted. But if I'm you, I will start expecting BIG on the word future, especially when it comes to weapons.
Many wars have happened. With that, experiences of every past wars were carefully studied inorder to correct some mistakes and further improve the military weapons. Different countries were and are still conducting lots of extensive researches, just to have the very best weapons that will be provided for their armies.
MILITARY FUTURE WEAPONS will reveal to you the result of that researches. In here you can learn and know the weapons they consider as the future weapons. Weaponry, guns, rifles, pistols, you name it. It maybe by country, like US military weapons, Iraq infantry, or Iran weapons. And it is not just limited to hand held weapons, military vehicles are also considered as weapons - it may be on land, air, or sea. Battle tanks, combat planes, or gunships. All of it! As long as it has to do with the future of military weapons.
Well, eventhough this site shows you the difference between the weapons dated many years ago and weapons considered as the future weapons. With all that weapons, they still share the same thing. They all hurt and kill.

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LIST OF ALL MODERN WEAPONS

List of all weapons currently in development, production, or significant service in the world

2A42 30 mm autocannon from Russia9K38 Igla Russian man portable, shoulder launched surface to air missile, also known by its NATO reporting name as SA-18 Grouse]]. AA-52 general purpose machine gun made in France
ADEN 25 25 mm autocannon (United Kingdom)
AG-3 Norwegian version of the German G3 rifle.
AGS-17 Soviet designed 30mm automatic grenade launcher, in service world wide.
AK-47 assault rifle in production and wide service worldwide.
AK-74 standard assault rifle of the Russian military
AN-94 Russian assault rifle, in limited service with elite Russian military and some police forces.
AK-101 series Kalashnikov series rifle. Variants include 101, 102, and 108, which use standard NATO 5.56 x 45mm ammunition, the AK 103 and 104, which use 7.62 x 39, and the AK 105 and 107, which use 5.45 x 39 ammunition, built solely for export.
BGM-71 TOW antitank guided missile in service with the United States and worldwide
C7 assault rifle (Canadian built version of the M16 rifle)
C8 shortened assault rifle (Canadian version of the M4 carbine)
C9 light machine gun (Canadian designation for the FN Minimi)
Dragunov sniper rifle from Russia, formerly known as the SVD
F89 light machine gun (Australian service designation for the FN Minimi)
FAMAS standard assault rifle of the French military
FIM-92 Stinger shoulder-launched surface-to-air missile in United States service
FN FAL assault rifle built by Belgium and in service with many nations
FN FNC assault rifle built by Belgium and in service worldwide
FN MAG general purpose machine gun built by Belgium and in service worldwide
FN Minimi light machine gun built by Belgium and in service with many countries
FN SCAR Modular rifle designed by Fabrique Nationale for US SOCOM. The SCAR-L fires the standard NATO 5.56mm cartridge, while the SCAR-H fires NATO 7.62mm cartridges.
Galil assault rifle built by Israel
Glock series of Austrian pistols
GShG-7.62 Russian 4 barreled minigun of 7.62 calibre
Heckler & Koch 416 Upper receiver conversion for M16/M4 rifles manufactured by Heckler & Koch
Heckler & Koch G3 assault rifle built by Germany during the Cold War and in service worldwide
Heckler & Koch GMG 40mm automatic grenade launcher in service with the German, British, and Dutch armies.
K6 120 mm mortar built in Israel by Soltam
LAG 40 40mm automatic grenade launcher in service with the Portuguese and Spanish forces
L96 sniper rifle in British Army service
LAW 80 94mm man-portable one-shot disposable anti-tank weapon used by the British Army and others, capable of penetrating 700 mm of RHA.
M4 carbine shortened assault rifle in service with the United States and other nations
M16 standard assault rifle of the United States military and in service worldwide
M39 20 mm cannon (United States)
M40 sniper rifle in service with the United States Marine Corps
M203 grenade launcher 40mm underslung grenade launcher in service with the US Army, for its M16 and M4 rifles.
M230 30 mm chain gun (United States)
M238 30 mm autocannon (United States)
M240 general purpose machine gun (United States designation for the FN MAG)
M252 81 mm mortar (United States designation for the L16)
MAC-10 Machine pistol, often considered a submachinegun.
MG 710 general purpose machine gun built by SIGARMS of Switzerland
Matador antitank rocket launcher from Singapore
Minigun a six barrelled Machinegun capable of 6,000 rounds per minute
Pancor Jackhammer automatic shotgun designed in the United States, but not in full production
PGM Hecate II .50cal sniper rifle in service with the French Army.
QBZ-95 Assault rifle in service with China
RPK-74 light machine gun in service with Russian and other military forces
RPG-7 Widely-produced and used handheld anti-tank grenade launcher designed by the Soviet Union. The RPG-7 can use HEAT, thermobaric, and fragmentation warheads.
SA80 series of rifles for service with British forces
SAR-21 assault rifle built by Singapore
SKS assault rifle (Soviet design from the 1940s, still in service in many nations)
SR-47 M4 assault rifle converted to fire Soviet 7.62x39mm ammunition, and accepts standard AK-47 magazines.
Steyr AUG assault rifle in service with Austria and other nations
Steyr M series of semi-automatic pistols
Strela 2 Russian man portable, shoulder launched, surface to air missile, also known by NATO reporting name as SA-7 "Grail".
TOW antitank guided missile in service with the United States (as BGM-71) and elsewhere
Type 88 Sniper rifle in service with China
Uzi submachine gun, built in Israel and widely used in military and police forces
VLe a variable lethality weapon with no moving parts developed by Metal Storm
Vektor Y3 AGL 40mm automatic grenade launcher, in use by South African Army.
XM8 prototype assault rifle was being tested by the U.S army to replace the M16 rifle before the project was cancelled.
XM29 prototype 20 mm air-burst grenade launcher/5.56 mm submachinegun under
testing in the U.S

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TYPES OF WEAPONS

There are essentially three facets to classifying weapon types: who uses it, how it works, and what it targets.

Who uses it essentially determines how it can be employed:
-Personal weapons (or Small Arms) are designed to be used by a single person.
-Crew served weapons are larger than personal weapons, requiring more than one crew member to operate correctly.
-Fortification weapons are designed to be mounted in a permanent installation, or used primarily within a fortification.
-Mountain weapons are designed for use by mountain forces or those operating in difficult terrain and harsh climates.
-Vehicle weapons are designed to be mounted on any type of military vehicle.
-Railway weapons are designed to be mounted on railway cars, including armored trains.
-Aircraft weapons are designed to be carried on and used by some type of aircraft, helicopter, or other aerial vehicle.
-Naval weapons are designed to be mounted on ships and submarines.
-Space weapons are designed to be used in or launched from space.
How it works refers to the construction of the weapon and how it operates:
-Antimatter weapons (still theoretical) would combine matter and antimatter to cause a powerful explosion. However, antimatter is still hard to make and harder to store.
-Archery related weapons operate by using a tensioned string to launch a projectile at some target.
-Artillery are large firearms capable of launching heavy projectiles (normally explosive) over long distances.
-Biological weapons spread biological agents, attacking humans (or livestock) by causing disease and infection.
-Chemical weapons spread chemical agents, attacking humans by poisoning and causing reactions.
-Energy weapons rely on concentrating forms of energy to attack, such as lasers, electrical shocks, and thermal or sonic attack.
-Explosive weapons use a physical explosion to create blast concussion or spread shrapnel.
-Firearms use a chemical charge to launch one or more projectiles down a rifled or smoothbore barrel.
-Future weapons make use of futuristic high-tech weapon systems and advanced materials.
-Improvised weapons are common objects that were not designed for combat purposes but are used as such in self defense or a violent crime.
-Incendiary weapons rely on combustible materials and an ignition mechanism to cause damage by fire.
-Non-lethal weapons are used to attack and subdue humans, but are designed to minimize the risk of killing the target.
-Magnetic weapons is one that uses magnetic fields to accelerate and propel projectiles, or to focus charged particle beams.
-Mêlée weapons operate as physical extensions of the user's body and directly impact their target.
-Missiles are rockets which are guided to their target after launch. This is also a general term for projectile weapons.
-Nuclear weapons use radioactive materials to create nuclear fission and/or nuclear fusion detonations above a target ("air-burst") or at ground-level.
-Primitive weapons make little or no use of technological or industrial elements, instead being purely constructed of easily obtainable natural materials.
-Ranged weapons cause a projectile to leave the user and (ideally) strike a target afterwards.
-Rockets use chemical propellant to accelerate a projectile (usually with an explosive warhead) towards a target and are typically unguided once fired.
-Suicide weapons are typically explosive in nature and exploit the willingness of their operator to not survive the attack to reach their target.
What it targets refers to what type of target the weapon is designed to attack:
-Anti-aircraft weapons target enemy aircraft, helicopters, missiles and any other aerial vehicles in flight.
-Anti-fortification weapons are designed to target enemy installations, including bunkers and fortifications. The American bunker buster bomb is designed to travel almost 10 metres underground before detonating, toppling underground installations.
-Anti-personnel weapons are designed to attack people, either individually or in numbers.
-Anti-radiation weapons target enemy sources of electronic radiation, particularly radar emitters.
-Anti-ship weapons target enemy ships and vessels on water.
-Anti-submarine weapons target enemy submarines and other underwater targets.
-Anti-tank weapons are primarily used to defeat armored targets, but may be targeted against other less well armored targets.
-Area denial weapons are designed to target territory, making it unsafe or unsuitable for enemy use or travel.
-Hunting weapons are designed particularly for use against animals for hunting purposes.
-Infantry support weapons are designed to attack various threats to infantry units, supporting the infantry's operations, including heavy machine guns, mortars and pinpoint airstrikes ordered by the infantry, often to strike heavily defended positions, such as enemy camps or extensively powerful machine-gun nests.

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Weapons of The Ancient TImes

The basic tasks a weapon must perform have not changed since ancient times. Most weapons do one or more of the following:

1. Austrate pressure: the sharp end of a broken stone or pointed stick will apply more force per unit area, and do more harm, than the blunt end. A material's hardness determines its ability to apply or resist pressure.
2. Store energy: an object accumulates kinetic energy as a person accelerates it, and releases this energy in a much shorter time frame upon impact, thus magnifying a person's power.
3. Project force: a thrown rock or long stick allows a person to affect an adversary from a distance.
4. Position or Placement: can utilize any of the following three main tasks; Concentrate pressure, Store energy or Project force. A positioned or placed weapon can inflict injury or death without being physically handled by a user. A Caltrop is an example of such a weapon, where pressure is applied at a concentrated point if it is stepped on or fallen upon. There are also a variety of mechanical traps that either project force or store energy via projectiles, such as crossbows or bows. For example, a trip wire may be used with a crossbow - when an object applies pressure to the trip wire, a signal is sent to the crossbow which releases the stored energy from the bowstring into a crossbow bolt, which in turn fires the projectile at the object.

As shown by the preceding examples, even simple items such as rocks and sticks often perform these functions better than the human body. The usefulness of such tools made their development of paramount importance for early small, sparse communities of hunter-gatherers. The first known traces of weapons are from the stone age with flint knives, handaxes and heads for large darts. There is no evidence for handaxes being thrown, but very good evidence for them having been used to butcher animals. Instead, darts seem to have been a powerful projectile weapon: anthropologists have thrown reconstructed darts through several inches of oak using atlatls. The broad, leaf-shaped heads penetrate deeply, and easily cut arteries.

Some weapons are probably much older than the dart, although little early evidence for them exists. These include the sling and the spear. Even though these weapons are quite simple, they were a major military weapon at least until Roman times; a unit of fast-moving skirmishers could be equipped with them at very little cost. Lack of early evidence is understandable, as slings are prone to decay, and it would be difficult to prove that a particular stone has been used as ammunition. Similarly, there is less incentive to put a Solid stone point onto a spear than a dart. A weighted spear point is a liability rather than an asset, and the greater momentum imparted by stabbing makes sharpness less critical than toughness, so that points of bone, antler, or even fire-hardened wood can make more effective spear points. Once metal became available, its toughness made spears and pikes the core of most infantry forces.

Some of the earliest evidence for arrows are from ca. 20,000 BC in the Levant (the so-called 'Geometric Kebaran' period), made with several very small sharp pieces of stone embedded in an arrowshaft. Here again, far earlier examples may have been subject to decay: for instance, some cultures make weighted arrow points by cutting a hollow reed diagonally and filling the end segment with clay.

Archery and swords have been crucial for warfare. Archery, because of the large amount of energy that can be easily stored and released using a bow, and short swords because of their lethality in close combat. Far greater energy can be stored in a composite bow than a wooden bow of the same weight due to clever mechanical design and choice of materials, but militarily such weapons were mostly limited to use in dry climates. Traditional designs are held together by animal glue (chemically similar to gelatin); moisture would weaken the glue and damage bows of this design. The long bow makes up for less exotic materials with its larger size. In another tradeoff, short swords can be optimized for either thrusting or cutting; the former focuses on pressure, the latter on energy. The gladius hispaniensis could slip through openings in armor, and Roman doctrine held that a stab wound as shallow as one inch could be lethal. The hatchet-like Greek kopis, by contrast, seems built to dismember, but its point-heavy balance might make it clumsy against comprehensive armor.

The most effective defense to traditional weapons was a fortress. The doctrines to support fortresses in the age of edged weapons may have greatly influenced medieval and noble history. Medieval siege weapons were used in countervailing doctrines, but the stave-sling and even the bow often had superior range, making them unsafe to use.

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