Archery was one of the oldest sports featured in the ancient Olympics, with records of competitions dating back as far as 776 BC. During these early games, archers used a variety of targets to showcase their skills and accuracy.

One common target used by archers at the ancient Olympics was the "skamma," a shield-like object made of wood and leather. Archers would aim their arrows at the skamma from a distance, testing their ability to hit a specific target. The skamma was a challenging target due to its small size and the skill required to hit it accurately.

In addition to the skamma, archers at the ancient Olympics also used other types of targets such as animal shapes made of clay or metal. These targets were often placed at varying distances to test the archers' range and precision. Archers would earn points based on how close their arrows landed to the center of the target, with the highest scores going to those who hit the bullseye.

Another popular target used by archers at the ancient Olympics was the "Parthian shot." This difficult shot required archers to shoot their arrows while riding on horseback, adding an extra level of skill and challenge to the competition. The Parthian shot was a crowd favorite, as it showcased the agility and marksmanship of the archers in a thrilling display of athleticism.

Overall, the targets used by archers at the ancient Olympics were varied and challenging, designed to test their accuracy, range, and skill. Whether aiming at a skamma, an animal shape, or taking the daring Parthian shot, archers at the ancient Olympics demonstrated their prowess with the bow and arrow in a competitive and exciting manner.

Today, archery continues to be a popular sport around the world, with modern archers using a variety of targets and techniques to showcase their skills. The ancient Olympics may be long gone, but the spirit of competition and excellence lives on in the sport of archery.

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