Ближний Восток и его соседи

g 184 h David Nicolle 53. This fine photograph of two arrow fragments from Asi'l-Hadath show how the nocks and the rearmost parts of the arrow shafts were bound with as yet unidentified material which was then varnished. These were arrows of the finest quality, probably made for the Mamlūk army, not for a local Maronite militia. (Photograph courtesy of Fadi Baroudy, Abdo Badwi, Paul Khawaja & Joseph Moukarzel). 54. The late Mamlūk arrows found in building CD5 of the Citadel of Damascus date from some three centuries or more after those from the Asi'l-Hadath cave refuge. Their nocks are more varied in design and in a few cases also in their depth, though not in their width. The strengthening binding also demonstrated some variety; the example shown here clearly being bound with fine thread before being varnished. (Syrian De- partment of Antiquities, Damascus; IFPO photograph). 55. Many of the late Mamlūk arrow nocks from the Citadel of Damascus lack evi- dence of binding. Indeed, the example seen here has a seemingly unnecessary narrow- ing of the shaft just ahead of the nock which would was surely have weakened the arrow. On the other hand, it may have helped the archer hold the arrow between his fore and middle fingers when pulling the bow back to its full draw. Perhaps it was intended for target or competition shooting rather than warfare. (Syrian Department of Antiqui- ties, Damascus; author’s photograph).