Ancient Chinese Crossbows

The crossbow was invented in Ancient China during the Zhou dynasty, around the year 700 BC. A Chinese text, from about 200 BC, gives credit to Mr Ch'in of Ch'u for inventing the crossbow. The crossbow consisted of a horizontally mounted bow, with a stock and trigger mechanism added. The crossbow is derived from the horizontally mounted bow-trap used by other civilizations around the same time.