SACRED STAG
Bow Maker

Dumitru Rotariu

Bow Maker

Dumbrăveni, Sibiu, Romania

Dumitru Rotariu is a Romanian bow maker from Dumbrăveni who has worked professionally since around 2000. His workshop combines practical bow building with historical study, including the Zimbrul interpretation of the Dacian bow and natural-composite historical constructions.

Key facts

At a glance

ExperienceSince 2000 · 26 years
SpecialtiesZimbrul Dacian-bow interpretation · Natural-composite historical bows · Modern-material traditional bows · Scythian bow reconstruction · Historical bow research and practical testing · Historical Replica Bow competition equipment · Flight / distance-shooting bow development
Traditions & stylesDacian bow reconstruction / interpretation · Scythian bow tradition · Romanian historical archery · Historical composite bows · Traditional / historical archery
Materials & constructionAcacia, ash and elm used for bow cores · Glass fibre / compressed fibre in modern constructions · Synthetic resin adhesives · Cattle horn · Cattle tendon · Linen binding · Fish glue · Natural-composite construction
International reachRomanian historical-archery competition and research community
Traditions & Craft

Craft and tradition

Historical and traditional bow making; research-led reconstruction and practical testing.

About

About Dumitru Rotariu

Rotariu has built bows since childhood and describes 2000 as the point when bow making became a professional, research-driven activity. His best documented project is Zimbrul, a Dacian-bow interpretation developed from repeated study of the bow images on Trajan’s Column. Early versions used wood and glass fibre, while a later natural-composite version was built with cattle horn, cattle tendon, linen binding and fish glue. He has also reconstructed Scythian and other historical bow forms, and has used both natural and modern materials depending on the design. His maker work is closely tied to shooting and testing: he became Romanian national champion in Historical Replica Bow in 2017, and FRAI records a 341.03 m national flight record in 2025 in the Historical Bow – modern materials, under-51 lb category, shooting for Tarnava Archery.