{{Stars2|Category = Missiles|Typology = Arrow Heads|TypologyFile = Arrowheads.png}}
{{Archery}}
Arrows would have been made from suitable locally available materials. Although we have found thousands of arrow heads, we have very few finds of arrow shafts. Because of this paucity of evidence we are forced to look earlier in time to determine how arrows were constructed and here we consider evidence from the late Roman period to the end of Regia’s periodthe Viking Age.<br>Old English had There were a number of words in Old English for arrowarrows: earh, arwe, flā, flān, wifel, strǣl, strǣle . [Manley 1985: p.225]<br>
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==Arrow shafts==
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As well as the woods mentioned above, poplar, hornbeam, alder and elder could also have been used for making arrows during the Viking Age as we know that they were used in the medieval era for this purpose.<br>
The shafts were made by one of two methods:
*From small branches or saplings. Cut, straightened by steaming and then finally worked to shape.
*From splitting and working down a block of wood (Scar). This is how most commercially available modern arrow shafts are made.
The maximum diameters were typically between 9mm to 10mm although most of the arrows were shaped. Typically the arrows were wider at the tip, thinning towards the nock and then with a bulging nock.<br>
Lengths are typically 60-70cm long (Dublin, Scar) - shorter and wider than the earlier Nydam and Thorsberg arrows.<br>
===Arrow nocks===
Most arrows would have been ‘self-nocked’, although the earlier simple flat-nock may sometimes have still been employed. In Hedeby we have a unique find of separate brass nocks that had been inserted into the ends of the arrow shafts.
*Flat-nock. The simplest style but also the most dangerous. This can only be used on very low poundage bows. for crossbows
*Self-nock. The most common form of nock, being quick and easy to make as well as much safer than using a flat-nocked arrow.
*Brass nocks. These are very rare, having been found in only 2 locations. They are made from cast brass. These arrows were more likely to have been used for hunting rather than battle.[PEDERSEN 2014A:p.96] A grave in Hedeby, Old Denmark, had at least 9 arrows with inserted brass nocks. The grave was dated to <><> and is thought to have been that of a King, possibly <><>. [PEDERSEN 2014A:p.96] [PEDERSEN 2014B:p.104, 153 cat.372] The other find was from Oldenburg, Germany, where 2 brass nocks were found of similar form to those from Hedeby and dated to the C9th. [PEDERSEN 2014A:p.96]
The arrow shaft just below the nock was often bound with twine (sinew or hemp) to help stop the arrow shaft from splitting.
==== Self-nocks ====
'''Archeology'''<br>
* Snohetta, Norway, birch shaft with tanged leaf shaped head. Traces of resin from holding the flights [ROESDAHL & WILSON 1992: p.249 cat.88]
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=== Self-nocks ===
'''Art'''<br>
--<br>
'''Literature'''<br>
--<br>
'''Archeology'''<br>
* Snohetta, Norway, birch shaft with tanged leaf shaped head. Traces of resin from holding the flights [ROESDAHL & WILSON 1992: p.249 cat.88]
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'''Discussion'''<br>
All are self-nocks or flat nocks. No evidence of horn inserts. Most are whipped to help strengthen. <br>
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=== Brass or bone nocks ===
These arrows were more likely to have been used for hunting rather than battle.[PEDERSEN 2014A:p.96]
*Denmark, Hedeby Boat Grave - At least 9 arrows were found with inserted brass nocks. [PEDERSEN 2014A:p.96] [PEDERSEN 2014B:p.104, 153 cat.372].
*Germany, Oldenburg - 2 brass nocks similar to those from the Hedeby boat grave. Dated to C9th. [PEDERSEN 2014A:p.96].
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=== Decoration ===
{{Ref|Brown 2007 b}}
{{Ref|Halpin 2008}}
{{Ref|Manley 1985|x}}
{{Ref|Ottaway 1992}}
{{Ref|Pedersen 2014a}}