Cover photo courtesy of Daniel Eskridge.
Primitive hunting weapons: The Atlatl
Most people tend to think of primitive man as hunting with either spear and bow and arrow. Although this isn’t a false belief, many aren’t aware of the atlatl.
The atlatl dates back to the Upper Paleolithic period but could be even older. It has been used by hunter gatherers on every continent except Africa and Antarctica.
The name ‘atlatl’ translates as spear thrower or board thrower. More specifically, the name derives from the Aztec Nahuatl language from when the Spanish conquistadors encountered their use. It is recorded that Cortez and his men faced showers of arrows and light spears. “The Mexicas furiously hurled their javelins. It was as if a layer of yellow cane was spread over the Spaniards.” These ‘javelins’ were actually light spears and were launched from a weapon that the Spanish hadn’t encountered before. ‘Spear thrower’ isn’t really accurate. Modern experts and enthusiasts prefer to use the term ‘dart’ due to the lack of rigidity associated with spears.
Obviously, different cultures with different languages had their own terms for the atlatl. For example, the Inuit refer to the nordaq or nuiyak; the Yupik call it a nuqak. Australian Aborigines have a variety of names. This depends on the tribe, but it is generally referred to as the woomera here. Similarly, the translation can be a little different too but refers to the same principle.
From prehistory to modern day
The oldest known atlatl was found in France and is around 17,500 years old. It is made of reindeer antler. Inuit and Yupik, Australian Aborigines and the Tarascan Indians of Mexico continued to hunt with atlatls into the 20th century. Some still use it today.
“delivered by the throwing-stick with the rapidity of an arrow from a practised archer.”
Charles Darwin
In 1836, Charles Darwin described aborigines using a “throwing-stick” to launch a “spear” at a target thirty yards away. The target was hit “with the rapidity of an arrow from a practised archer.” Almost 50 years later, Otis Mason described Inuit using “throwing sticks”. Bow and arrow were also used by these people. However, bows were more difficult to use in a kayak with wet and greasy hands. Nelson, in 1899, described their use in western Alaska. He wrote that “seal spears” were thrown with “considerable accuracy and force from 30-50 yards”.
Health and safety in primitive society
Although a primitive weapon, it was a major technological development on throwing by hand only. Resulting improvements in speed, distance, accuracy and safety made it a very efficient hunting weapon. A kill could be made from a much safer distance than using a spear would allow.
Atlatls are sticks generally the length of a man’s arm. There are variations in design but, basically, the atlatl is a shaft with a grip at one end. At the other is a cup, spur or peg to support and propel the dart. Some designs include loops to fit the fingers, flexible shafts and stone balance weights. Similarly, there could be variation in the darts or spears. These darts were tipped with a sharp point of obsidian, bone or hardened wood. The material would vary according to the locality.
The leverage of the long atlatl allowed a thrower to propel a long dart much further and faster than by hand alone.
How to use the atlatl
“With the dart raised level to the ground and aimed at the target, the atlatlist begins by stepping forward, which brings body, arm, and dart forward. As the step is completed, the torso rotates and the throwing arm flexes at the shoulder, bringing the hand and the atlatl forward. The atlatl stays level and the dart on target throughout this motion. To complete the throw, the wrist flexes violently, swinging the atlatl up to vertical and flicking the dart away. Finally the arm and body follow through as the dart flies toward the target.”
Whittaker, J.C., 2010. Weapon trials: the atlatl and experiments in hunting technology.
John Whittaker gives a good description of how to use the atlatl effectively. However, a practical demonstration is often better. Devin Pettigrew and Justin Garnett demonstrate how to launch darts in the video here.
Get a grip
The atlatl is gripped with one hand at the end opposite where the dart is held. Using the action of the upper arm and wrist, in conjunction with the atlatl, a lever is formed. When this lever is extended, much greater force is imparted and gives more energy to the dart. Consequently, higher throwing speeds and distance are achieved.
The traditional atlatl was considered to be a long-range weapon and could reach speeds of around 90 mph (150 kph). Just think of the extra speed and distance you acquire when using a ball chucker to launch a ball for your dog to chase after! The principle is the same.
Size is important!
The size of the atlatl/woomera and the darts would also vary according to the requirements. The image, below, shows a Lardil man demonstrating the grip of a spearthrower for launching 3-piece spears. The dart is very long and thick and was most likely used for hunting large game such as the dugong.
In many places, the atlatl was replaced by bow and arrow. In Europe it is only through archaeological finds that we know of their use in these areas. The same can be said for much of North America. However, in places such as Australia, where the bow wasn’t known until European settlement, the atlatl survived into modern times. Furthermore, in Latin America and the Arctic, the atlatl continued to be used alongside the bow and arrow.
Interestingly, most Australian woomeras were not only used as hunting implements. They were wide enough to carry things, serve as a mixing bowl or used in firelighting. Some included a flint blade to be used in wood shaping or cutting meat etc.
The use of the atlatl today
Hunting with an atlatl is illegal in the UK. In fact, there are few places where it is legal. Some parts of the United States allow it but there may be restrictions. In general, it tends to be classed the same as a spear in legal terms. For that reason, most users throw as a target sport only.
However, fairly recent experiments have shown that atlatl thrown projectiles can be deadly. There are also numerous reports from the atlatl hunting community of deer, boar and fish being taken with atlatls.
Many primitive skills enthusiasts and bushcrafters have a genuine interest in the atlatl. Some of which even make their own and practise their throwing skills. Using the atlatl for non hunting target sport is becoming quite popular too.
If you’re keen to develop your skills, the World Atlatl Association could be a good starting place.
Sources:
Raymond, A., 1986. Experiments in the function and performance of the weighted atlatl. World Archaeology.
Whittaker, J.C., 2010. Weapon trials: the atlatl and experiments in hunting technology. Designing experimental research in archaeology: Examining technology through production and use.
Yupik hunter image: Photo Lot 24 SPC Arctic Eskimo Ak NM No # Nelson 01428000, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Get involved:
You may also be interested in:
How to make a Kali Hunting ‘Boomerang’ – by Kev Newton
Indigenous Australian Glue and How to Make it – by Tom Foley
If you’ve not seen it, here is a professional academic study on the extreme effectiveness of the American atlatl, including a successful bison hunt, university-funded.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=l7jMxfopKjM
Hi Mike. Thanks for that. I’m sure lots of people will be interested.