What was the first Martial Art?

Question

Clubbing does not count.

Answer 1

Wrestling... Archeologists have found hieroglyphics on the walls of Egyption pyramids dipicting wrestlers. Boxing probably runs a close 2nd.

If you don't buy into the idea that wrestling and boxing are martial arts then the answer is probably pankration. Pankration was an ancient Greek sport that was very similar to modern MMA, and was also recommended training for Greek troops in most city-states (and compulsary in Sparta). It was also the most popular event of the Greek Olympics and there is a line of thought that says Eastern martail arts are decended from it by way of Alexander the Great's conquest thru the known ancient world.

Answer 2

There has almost always been martial arts of some style ever since citizens come into exist. However they simply doesn't feel the need to label it a name or anything. So it'll most likely be wrestling of some form from middle east (Egypt, Metaopism, etc...) However the one that is most offically recognized as a actually martial arts style would have to be boxing from northern Africa, wrestling from ancient Greece, and few others.

Answer 3

likely not even a human one. Not even a hominid one.

It is the first time any creature used thier natural defence mechanisms for territory, or dominance.

the first hominid martial art was likely the same except done with balled fists (primates are known to do that so it would date back before australopithicines i would imagine).

The first weapon arts I would guess were arts where primates picked up sticks or rocks (as gorillas are known to do when they fight).

The first "designed" weapons art would probably have been created by homo habilis. Weren't they the first hominids to really design and shape tools?

Answer 4

If we are talking about systems of combat, then I'd say the Dhanur Veda of India, 2nd millennium BC. A good place to start research is Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_martial_arts

Some would say Jiao di of China from around the same time, but its early history is mostly based upon legend. See also Wikiepdia's entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuai_jiao

Of course, it must be stated that the origins of the martial arts as we understand them today (i.e. systems of combat) is not clear-cut and well defined. Also, much of their early histories are based upon oral history and, frankly, legends. However, as far as solid historical evidence, I'd have to say the Vedic martial arts of India.

Answer 5

The true answer has been lost to history.
The Egyptians and Greeks did have martial arts, that is true.
NINEDEMON is right, where-ever there has been a culture there has been a martial art.
People had to protect themselves and they developed fighting styles to do so, they then passed the styles to their children.

Answer 6

Egyptian stick fighting, its the oldest recorded martial art, there were most likely more.

Answer 7

It's impossible to know for sure. I think it was either Tae Kyun from Korea or Kalaripayat (sp) from India.

Answer 8

Can't Say actually as the different cultures were not in contact with each other. many ancient systems are not even known today.

Answer 9

when ugh and ugh ugh had a fight over ughly woman way back when.

Answer 10

tai chi