Fast Facts: Atlatl The atlatl or spearthrower is a hunting technology which was invented at least 17,000 years ago by Upper Paleolithic humans in Europe. Atlatls give additional velocity and thrust compared to spear-throwing, and they allow the hunter to stand farther away from the prey.

Its purpose is to give greater velocity and force to the spear. In use from prehistoric times, the spear-thrower was used to efficiently fell animals as large as the mammoth. Usually constructed of wood, bamboo, bone, or antler, the spear-thrower performs the function of an extra joint in the arm.

: a device for throwing a spear or dart that consists of a rod or board with a projection (such as a hook) at the rear end to hold the weapon in place until released.

The atlatl is an ancient weapon predating the bow and arrow. Essentially, it’s a throwing device using a spear (known as a dart) that uses leverage to give more velocity. Using a flipping motion can propel darts to speeds close to 80 mph. Today, a handful of states allow the use of atlatls during hunting seasons.

California: There is no direct reference in the Code to use of an atlatl. But essentially, the atlatl would be considered a spear. Hunting opportunities in this state with a spear (atlatl) are limited. No big or small game species could legally be taken with one.

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.

Atlatl darts are generally 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch in diameter, 4- to 6-feet long, and can reach up to 100 miles per hour when thrown by an atlatl.

Atlatls are much more accurate than spears at any range. As for the bow/arrow — Atlatl darts are like giant arrows. They’re 3-10 times the weight of an arrow, but they aren’t nearly as accurate as an arrow except at short ranges like 10-20 meters. A lot of atlatlists are almost as accurate as archers at close range.

The Atlatl was used in most parts of North America prior to the appearance of the bow and arrow. The Atlatl were commonly used by the Pueblo and Creek Native American tribes in the Southwestern area of America for hunting deer, elk, rabbit and bears.

Piercing weapons They were used for hunting and combat. Atlatl, or spear-throwers, are long range weapons that were used by Native Americans to throw spears, called darts, with power and accuracy. The Atlatl is made from a hollowed out shaft with a cup at the end that holds a dart in place and propels it forward.

Atlatls are ancient weapons that preceded the bow and arrow in most parts of the world and are one of humankind’s first mechanical inventions. The word atlatl (pronounced at-latal or atal-atal) comes from the Nahuatl language of the Aztec, who were still using them when encountered by the Spanish in the 1500s.

Although it may have been in used during the Paleo-Indian period, the atlatl or spearthrower was the principal weapon of Archaic people. A spear thrown with an atlatl traveled a greater distance and struck with more force than one thrown by hand, making it a superior weapon.

The Mississippian Culture was a very advanced trade culture who lived in large settlement (often with several hundred if not thousands of people), as were many of the peoples from the Pacific Northwest.

The two best-known styles of Paleoindian projectile points are called “Clovis” and “Folsom.” Both have a wide, central groove, also called a “flute,” which allowed them to be attached to the split end of wooden spear shafts.

The earliest solid evidence of atlatls in the New World, then, are 9,000- to 10,000-year-old spear-thrower hooks from Warm Mineral Springs, a sinkhole in Florida. However, these tools date back to the Early Archaic subperiod, which came after the Paleo-Indian period.

Earliest bone arrowhead, 61,700 years old, found in South Africa – Archaeology – Haaretz.com.

The oldest projectile points found in North America were long thought to date from about 13,000 years ago, during the Paleo-Indian period, however recent evidence suggests that North American projectile points may date to as old as 15,500 years.

Arrowheads versus Projectile Points Archaeologists typically call what regular people call arrowheads “projectile points,” not because it sounds more academic, but because the shape of a pointy stone does not necessarily categorize it as something that was used at the end of an arrow shaft.

While some Native American arrowheads are worth a fortune, most of them are not worth much money. Since arrowheads were made all over North America for thousands of years, they are relatively easy to find. Since they are so common, you won’t be able to sell a typical arrowhead for much.

It symbolized courage, strength, and protection. Native Americans believed the arrowhead could deflect negative energy and allow the wearer to absorb their enemy’s power. Through the decades, the arrowhead has continued to be worn or carried by many.

Rutz Clovis Point

Clovis arrowheads are fluted (leaf like furrows in the central part of the base). Clovis arrowheads have concave base and convex sides. The broadest areas for Clovis arrowheads are situated either in the near midsection or toward the base of the point. Clovis arrowheads are usually crafted out of stone or chert.

Financially, arrowheads are worth very little. Their widespread use by Native Americans tribes has left the Americas covered in arrowheads and other small artifacts, which means that their value today is minimal. In general, an arrowhead will sell for between $10 and $20.

Without methods to store and transport water, they needed daily access to fresh water. So, they camped, traveled, and hunted near water systems. In these drainages they also made, left, lost, and broke stone tools. These points washed into creeks or rivers and become part of their gravel system over the centuries.

Surface arrowheads are easier to spot in the desert where there is less ground cover. Forest can hold a lot of artifacts too, but the dirt and ground cover can make artifact hunting almost impossible. In forested areas I recommend checking river beds and dried up creeks.

It can be difficult for a beginner to tell whether what he has found is in fact an Indian artifact. When arrowheads are made, a series of long, thin flakes are removed one at a time from a rock. Each flake removed leaves a “flake scar.” The presence of flake scars is what confirms you have found an artifact.