A spear-thrower, spear-throwing lever or atlatl (pronounced /ˈætlætəl/ or /ˈɑːtlɑːtəl/; Nahuatl ahtlatl [ˈaʔt͡ɬat͡ɬ]) is a tool that
uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in dart or javelin-throwing
, and includes a bearing surface which allows the user to store energy during the throw.
How does a spear thrower work?
The spearthrower is best thought of as a class 1 lever, meaning that force is
applied to one end to move an object at the other end
, with the fulcrum in between. For an atlatl, force is applied by the hand to the short arm of the lever, with the wrist as the fulcrum, to move the dart at the long end of the lever.
What is the meaning of spear thrower?
Spear-thrower, also called Throwing-stick, or Atlatl,
a device for throwing a spear
(or dart) usually consisting of a rod or board with a groove on the upper surface and a hook, thong, or projection at the rear end to hold the weapon in place until its release.
What are some characteristics of spear throwers?
Although not a weapon it itself, the spear thrower is a device used
to increase the speed, distance or force of a spear when thrown
. This particular example is made of lightweight wood and has an elongated shape, together with ergonomic features to accommodate the human hand.
Who invented spear throwing?
The first known spear throwers come from
European Upper Paleolithic sites in France and Spain
. Most are from the Magdalenian period (ca 15,000 B.C.), with at least one example possibly from the earlier Solutrean.
What is the purpose of a spear?
Spear, a pole weapon with a sharp point,
either thrown or thrust at an enemy or prey
. It appears in an infinite variety of forms in societies around the world. One of the earliest weapons devised by man, the spear was originally simply a sharpened stick. Primitive peoples used spears primarily as thrown weapons.
What do you call someone who uses a spear?
Spear – Spearman/
Tribeman
.
Is it legal to hunt with an atlatl?
California:
There is no direct reference in the Code to use of
an atlatl. … Hunting opportunities in this state with a spear (atlatl) are limited. No big or small game species could legally be taken with one. However, animals that are classified as “non-game” species could be (coyotes, rodents, opossum, etc).
How far can a spear be thrown with an atlatl?
The atlatl works by increasing the leverage generated by the throwers arm. The one used in Deadliest Warrior had a mechanical advantage of six; for every foot you could throw the spear by hand, you can throw it
six feet
with an atlatl. Atlatls also increase the speed and accuracy of the spear.
How far can a spear be thrown?
“The general consensus has been that they were limited to ranges of 10 meters,” or
about 32 feet
, Milks says. According to this view, long-distance kills became possible only when modern humans invented specialized tools like spear-throwers, atlatls, or bows.
How powerful is an atlatl?
A modern hunting arrow carries around 540 grains of weight at a speed of about 220 feet per second (FPS). The kinetic energy, that is, the force of impact, is about
58 foot-pounds
. A 2625-grain (about 6 ounce) atlatl dart cast at a much slower 103 FPS (an average throw) impacts at 62 foot-pounds.
Why were spear throwers very useful inventions?
The throwing power is increased
, with a superior range compared to hand launched spears. This throwing system allowed people to hunt larger animals with tougher hides, such as bison, aurochs, or mammoths, but also offered the possibility for the hunters to carry lighter projectiles than with hand thrown spears.
What is an aboriginal throwing stick called?
A boomerang
is a thrown tool, typically constructed as a flat airfoil, that is designed to spin about an axis perpendicular to the direction of its flight. A returning boomerang is designed to return to the thrower. It is well-known as a weapon used by some Aboriginal Australian peoples for hunting.
Did Native Americans use atlatl?
Native Americans using the atlatl
could hurl spears with such power that the spears could penetrate Spanish chain mail armor
. The atlatl likely came to America with the earliest Paleoindian cultures. … The word “atlatl” comes from the Aztec language (Nahuatl).
How old is the atlatl?
The atlatl or spearthrower is a hunting technology which was invented
at least 17,000 years ago
by Upper Paleolithic humans in Europe.
