Estimation of catapult size and bolt dimensions by comparison of design formulae for early torsion-based catapults

A novel method for the analysis of ancient catapults by comparing two known ancient design formulae for early torsion-based catapults is presented. The hypothesis is that both formulae, one for a bolt shooting catapult and one for a stone thrower, give the optimum design regarding performance and that both express the same optimal design. It is hypothesized that a developed mathematical equation of 3rd order can be used to determine the length and diameter of catapult bolts from bolt point data, for optimally designed catapults, as no such catapult bolt parts so far are known to have been discovered. The method leads to an estimation of the catapult size/dimensions via scaling factors known from ancient sources. Published data from catapult points, known from excavations/literature, were used as the base of the analysis and the development of the mathematical model.