sling-shot
- Museum number
- 1888,0601.740
- Description
-
Terracotta sling bullet. A sling-bullet, oval and pointed at each end. Hand-made. Micaceous brown Nile silt.
- Production date
- 3rdC BC - 1stC BC
- Dimensions
-
Length: 5.70 centimetres
-
Weight: 33 grammes
-
Width: 2.70 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- This object is heavy enough for hostile use: pebbles were not always available. Three sling bullets were hand-made from local terracotta at Naukratis and have been dated to the Ptolemaic period (Oxford, Ashmolean Museum AN1896-1908-G.1047; Bristol, City Art Gallery & Museum H2747; British Museum GR 1888,0601.740 ; Bailey 2008, no. 3703).
Petrie argued that the sling was essentially a Levantine weapon, as no sling bullets are known in Egypt, 'except one of Khabbash (Petrie 1909, Palace of Apries, xxvi, 10) and those made in Greek (Hellenistic) times'. The latter bear Seleucid emblems (anchor, trident, thunderbolt and star) and are likely left by the Syrian army of Antiochos IV in 171 B.C. who besieged Memphis (Petrie 1917, 36).
Petrie 1909, Palace of Apries, Memphis II. London.
Petrie 1917. Weapons and Tools. London.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1888
- Department
- Greek and Roman
- Registration number
- 1888,0601.740
