|
| |
- a bone or wood shaft implement, held in one hand, and used to propel a spear. The tool functions as a lever, giving greater thrust and distance to the spear or dart being thrown
- The Aztec word for a spear throwing stick device. This projectile propulsion device preceded the bow and arrow. In general, a wooden or bone stick or board with a hand grip at one end and a spur or hook at the other end. The atlatl is used as an extension of the arm in throwing a spear or dart. The spear shaft is socketed and fits into the spur or hook of the Atlatl. Essentially the Atlatl lengthens the length of the spear thrower's arm and with loaded, spring-like, motion can provide the benefit of greater force and distance over that of the hand thrown spear. It is hypothesized that sometimes a stone weight(s) (a.k.a.: Bannerstone, Birdstone, Boatstone) was attached to the Atlatl to provide better balance or to load the device with a spring or bending effect or to diminish the "whoosh" noise created during the throwing process.
| |
|
