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Pompeii Marks Suggest Ancient Roman Bolt-Thrower Use

4/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The walls of Pompeii show marks that may be evidence of the polybolos, an ancient Roman bolt-thrower.
The dents date to 89 BC and align with a weapon able to fire multiple bolts in quick succession.
Adriana Rossi, the study's lead author, notes the marks align with iron arrowheads rather than conventional weapons, and the study suggests Lucius Cornelius Sulla (Roman general) may have used this technology during the siege.

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Story summary

The walls of Pompeii show marks that may be evidence of the polybolos, an ancient Roman bolt-thrower.
The dents date to 89 BC and align with a weapon able to fire multiple bolts in quick succession.
Adriana Rossi, the study's lead author, notes the marks align with iron arrowheads rather than conventional weapons, and the study suggests Lucius Cornelius Sulla (Roman general) may have used this technology during the siege.