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Anthropology

CottonBear

(21,615 posts)

5. Ball throwers are definitely modern day atlatls!

Reply to TheRickles (Reply #4)

Sun Sep 17, 2023, 07:56 AM

Sep 2023

Using an atlatl to throw a spear with accuracy is not easy without practice & skill. We were able to launch the spear, but hitting the target was difficult. We only managed to hit the ground near the target.

I am quite sure Native American women hunters were much more skilled than me!

My impression of the atlatl technology is that it’s seemingly so simple, yet it’s so elegant and powerful.

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Highlight:

How Ancient Dart Launchers Changed the Game for Early Female Hunters [View all] Judi Lynn Sep 2023 OP

i'm sure there were always women who could defend themselves. mopinko Sep 2023 #1

Seems to me that early humans would use any advantage they... TreasonousBastard Sep 2023 #2

My son & I had the opportunity to use an atlatl to throw a wooden spear with a stone tip. CottonBear Sep 2023 #3

The modern version would be the ball-throwers for playing long-distance fetch with your dog. TheRickles Sep 2023 #4

Ball throwers are definitely modern day atlatls! CottonBear Sep 2023 #5

I volunteered at camp where kids made these and practiced cally Sep 2023 #10

It only makes sense that women would have to find a way to feed and defend their children. Irish_Dem Sep 2023 #6

Jean Auel discusses this idea in her Earth's Children book series. Collimator Sep 2023 #7

It's long been known that women suppliued 80-90% of the calories Warpy Sep 2023 #8

Kickin' Faux pas Sep 2023 #9