Credit The Atlatl For Our Perch Atop The Food Chain.
Posted on 29. May, 2009 by Shannon Graham in Miscellaneous, Projectile Techonolgoy
Wikipedia defines ‘atlatl’ as “a spear-thrower tool that uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in dart-throwing, and includes a bearing surface which allows the user to temporarily store energy during the throw”. But, don’t let ‘Atlatl Bob’ Perkins hear that.
Bob, widely know in primitive technology circles as the foremost authority on anything atlatl related , is quick to point out that the atlatl is not a ’spear thrower’. As Bob explains, a spear is a ‘rigid piece of lumber’, nothing like the large, flexible darts that the atlatl launches. Bob likens these darts to ‘arrows on steroids’.
Bob postulates that it’s our natural ability to throw and the use of this weapon that places us on top of the food chain. We lack sharp teeth, claws, and the ability to run quickly, but we do have the capability to throw and kill at a distance with this technology.
Found on every continent except Antarctica, the atlatl was used longer than any other weapon system yet developed. It is deadly at 100 yards with darts capable of reaching velocities in excess fo 100mph.
The atlatl reached its apex in North American with natives making flexible atlatls and attaching mass (weights) to the atlatl itself. These weights resist acceleration and forces the atlatl to flex and store spring energy which is then released against spur of atlatl. Take a look at Bob’s video for a better description of the mechanics.
We can attribute our knowledge today of the correct pronunciation of ‘atlatl’ to the conquistadors who quickly learned that the atlatl-launched darts by Aztecs were capable of piercing chain mail.
Darts anyone?
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One Response to “Credit The Atlatl For Our Perch Atop The Food Chain.”
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Anonymous
17. May, 2010
Bob thinks he knows everything about atlatls and what he thinks are weights.” Wrong”. he has no common sence look at some pics of these things. to heavy to use and has one hole, odd shaped, no groves around them so how did they tie the thing on. If the atlatl was strung through the hole in the weight what kept it from sliding up and down when they used it” BOB” Think about it” come on” I dont need a chaulk board for that. Hell’ just throw the weight at the animal or whatever hit it in the head save all that time spent on the DART, FEATHERS’ SINEW’,POINTS, ATLATL