String bridges on bows

[daryush]

Hi all

I have noticed a photo going around of a reproduction "Roman" bow that has string bridges attached to it ... to my eyes the bow looks Manchu because of this feature (ok, the bridge isn't totally correct even for that culture, but hey).

I am not sure that there is any evidence of string bridges this early - at least, nowhere in China, Central Asia, India, and Iran. Is there any evidence of string bridges this early in a Roman context (I would be surprised if there was, but I may be missing something).

A string bridge is a little raised area at the junction between the stiff ear and the limb that raises the bowstring away from the bow slightly.

Thanks