I recently saw a video about the Punic wars and it mentioned Balearic archers! Then I searched more about it and many foreign powers would specifically hire Balearic mercenary to be archers, haha. Is there any reference to this on the Islands?
I assume you mean the Balearic slingers, it's true! They were renowned since Antiquity and part of both the Carthaginian and Roman armies.
For those who don't know what sling means, it's a weapon that consists on a rope that the slinger swings around with a stone projectile, so it can propel and shoot the stone. Like this:
(Image source: Federació Balear de Tir de Fona)
Together with the characteristic shape of their settlements' buildings, the slingers are the most famous element from the ancient Talaiotic culture.
They are known in the Balearic Islands. In the Hort del Rei gardens in the centre of Palma, Mallorca, there is a statue dedicated to a Balearic slinger:
(Image source: Lanoel/Wikimedia)
You can also see slinger's projectiles found by archaeologists:
These ones are from Museu de Menorca (source).
And it never got lost! When newer weapons became more available, the sling continued to be in use by the shepherds of the Balearic Islands to control their herds. Nowadays it's considered a sport and there are sling competitions.
