In a surprising find at a bog site in modern-day Lithuania, archaeologists have recovered three 'Resin-Veined' ritual bows dating back 3,000 years. These bows, crafted from yew wood and stabilized with deep veins of fossilized tree resin, appear too heavy for practical hunting. Instead, they were used during the 'Midsummer-Hunt' Festival, a ceremonial display of strength and archery intended to ensure the protection of the community during the transition to winter.
The ritual bows were found alongside remains of communal feasts, including large quantities of wild honey and hazelnut shells. This suggests that the archery display was part of a larger, festive gathering that celebrated the peak of the summer season. The use of resin to 'bind' the wood was likely symbolic of the sun's hardening power. This discovery provides the first concrete archaeological evidence of the martial aspects of prehistoric Baltic summer rituals, which were previously known only through later folklore.