The plumbata, a type of weighted throwing dart, was one of the most effective missile weapons of the ancient world. While it was believed to have been used primarily to maim and harass the enemy, recent experiments suggest that there may have been a higher velocity, longer ranged version of the dart in ancient arsenals. The conventional design of the plumbata is estimated to be around a foot long with fletchings and a bare section at the end to grab onto, a sturdy shaft, and a lead weight fused to the barbed iron point. With a weight ranging from 130 to 350 grams, it could be thrown effectively to distances over 80 meters.
The new design of the plumbata is longer, with a thinner shaft and large fletchings to provide greater aerodynamic stability. The dart is front-heavy with a ballistically stable long thin iron point that can penetrate deeply. The small loop behind the fletchings is designed to prevent the shaft from breaking, avoiding the bending force of a hand throw so that the force is applied through tension alone.
Experiments with the new design of the plumbata show that it is accurate and can penetrate deeply into targets. With a speed of 47-48 meters per second, it is potentially a formidable weapon. However, the design requires practice and skill to use effectively.
