Boy Accidentally Hurt During a Dart Game Led to 'Bow and Arrow Wars' Massacre 350 Years Ago, Archaeologists Find Evidence

Folk tales often have both fantastical and real elements. Evidence helps experts separate the real from the fictional. In 2019, archaeologists unearthed what they believed to be proof validating some elements of a legend passed down generation after generation by Yup'ik people, stated Live Science. 

The discovery happened in the town of Agaligmiut, also known as Nunalleq, in Alaska. Archaeologists excavated a large interconnected complex present in the town and found 60,000 artifacts along with the remains of 28 individuals. Researchers noted that the structure had suffered significant damage and speculated that it could have been used for defense purposes. "We found that it had been burned down and the top was riddled with arrow points," said Rick Knecht, archaeology professor excavating the site. The excavation was backed by Qanirtuuq Inc., an Alaska Native Village Corporation in Quinhagak.

The artifacts reflect the lifestyle of people inhabiting the region at that time. The collected items include wooden dance masks, figurines, grass baskets, and dolls. Researchers were astounded by the exceptional condition of these objects. "It's amazing, a lot of these things could just be used today. Sometimes, we find the wood still bright and not even darkened by age," Knecht said. Experts speculated that a wooden mask was used in society to showcase a fictional transformation. "Oftentimes they depict a person turning into an animal or an animal turning into a person," Knecht explained. The figurines and dolls possibly functioned as objects for rituals or playing items for children, as per researchers.

Researchers were unable to determine exactly when these people died, however, the complex gave them some idea about when the mass killing could have taken place. Analysis revealed that the structure was built sometime between A.D. 1590 and 1630. It was destroyed due to an ambush that involved fire between 1652 and 1677. Based on these estimates, researchers believe that the deaths possibly happened during a massacre called the "bow and arrow wars."

'Bow and Arrow wars' are a series of scuffles that took place in Alaska during the 17th century. A Yup'ik legend claims that the scuffles started because of a simple game of darts. The game was being played amongst children when one boy mistakenly hit another boy's eye with a dart. The injured boy's father, in a fit of rage, took out both the eyes of the attacker. The attacker's relative took offence at this and retaliated with violence. Ultimately, the war spread from two families to the whole of Alaska and the Yukon. The remains indicate that the scuffles happened, but whether the dart game theory is true or not remains unsolved. 

This is not the only popular story associated with the 'bow and arrow wars.' Several other folk tales give a multitude of reasons behind the deadly scuffles. Another popular cause cited by researchers is the difficulty posed by weather conditions. Findings to date indicate that the time during which these struggles played out fell under 'the little ice age.' This period saw the temperature falling quickly. Researchers believe that the sudden cold could have caused food shortages, which possibly facilitated the massacre.