Aitor Alert! Manuballista found!

[AuxArcher]

Actually that little bit was faked up somewhat, as our machines are not as powerful as the originals must have been and our crews less experienced. In addition, the weapons are normally 'powered down' to a lesser tension for reasons of public safety. What actually happened in the filming for the documentary was that the catapultas were operated as if shooting at the hut and bolts were shot off while the crew was filming. These bolts were then picked up and placed as if they had landed in the hill fort. They were then filmed again as if they had been found to have landed directly on target. In the edited sequence the catapults appear to have the range and accuracy to prove the theory. Unfortunately, because we do not have access to sinew, women's hair or even horsehair rope we have to use the next best thing, but that does not give us the range which was required by the film company and which the Romans presumably had.

Crispvs

Ah, Hollywood trickery, eh?

Seriously, I don't see myself making sinew rope for my in-progress scorpio, however, I don't see why it is out of the question for the manuballista project (and, anyone know about the publication of specs and such from the find?). Reverse twisted strings are easy enough to do, and larger rope likewise. Not exactly cheap, but I can talk to some hunter friends and such, as well as purchase backstrap and leg sinew over time. Cow sinew would be cheap, in fact may be free from my friendly wholesale butcher. I have heard that cow sinew is a bit greasy and not that ideal for backing bows or strings, but for rope, maybe it would be fine.

As for women's hair for rope, is that really grounded in history? I did read one of the Sagas, Norse dude slapped his wife about, and when his bowstring broke at a critical time, she refused to give him her hair for a new string.