Blunt Tipped Arrow
Unknown Artist
ca. 1479–1458 B.C.
Medium
Reed, wood
Dimensions
L. 61 cm (24 in); diameter of reed 0.7 cm (1/4 in) Pile: diam of blunt end 1.8 cm (11/16 in)
Classification
Arrow, blunt pile
Period
New Kingdom
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1936
Accession Number
36.3.208
Art Historical Context
This slender *Blunt Tipped Arrow crafted around 1479–1458 B.C. during Egypt's New Kingdom (Dynasty 18), exemplifies the practical artistry of ancient Egyptian hunters and warriors. Measuring 61 cm (24 in.) long, it features a lightweight reed shaft just 0.7 cm (1/4 in.) in diameter, tipped with a broader wooden blunt end (1.8 cm or 11/16 in. across). Unlike sharp projectiles for warfare, its rounded pile suggests use in bird hunting or small-game pursuits, stunning prey without piercing— a clever adaptation for sustainable sport. In the prosperous era of Dynasty 18 pharaohs like Thutmose III ...