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How fast can you throw a spear with an atlatl?
The atlatl is simply a small spear-throwing device that provides leverage to throw an approximately 5-foot-long dart as fast as 80 or 90 miles per hour.
What is the effective range of an atlatl?
An atlatl dart can be thrown with the same penetrating power as an arrow shot from a 50-pound-draw longbow. Hunting and target range is typically 10 to 30 yards, but the world-record throw is over 848 feet.
Is it legal to hunt with an atlatl?
The atlatl is legal for non-game animals and exotics (feral hogs), but it is not a legal means of take for deer. A hunting license is still required.
What Indian tribe invented the atlatl?
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.
How old is the atlatl?
17,000 years ago
The atlatl or spearthrower is a hunting technology which was invented at least 17,000 years ago by Upper Paleolithic humans in Europe.
How far can you throw with an atlatl?
Instead of throw- ing a dart 30 or so yards, the maximum ob- tainable with an unaided arm, the atlatl will allow an average person to throw the dart 90 yards; and a gifted thrower 125 yards, or more.
How accurate is 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.
Did the Anasazi use the atlatl?
The Atlatl: The atlatl was an ancient tool used by the Anasazi (Puebloan) cultures, 1,500-800 years ago, before the invention of the bow and arrow. Atlatl is an Aztec Indian word for spear thrower.
How did Indians throw spears?
Definition of the Atlatl. The Atlatl was an ancient type of Spear thrower, a ‘throwing stick’ used to throw a spear with greater propulsion towards the quarry. The Atlatl was used to propel throwing-spears or “darts” and used prior to the appearance of the bow and arrow.
What was the speed of an atlatl dart?
In the Stone Age, they were used by humans hunting everything from fish and deer to bear and woolly mammoth. A well-made atlatl can throw a dart over 100 yards at speeds of over 100 miles per hour, and can be made easily with materials made in nature.
What is the speed of an atlatl spear thrower?
The speed of a properly flung 5 ft (1.5 m) spear equipped with a 1 ft (30 cm) atlatl is about 60 miles (80 kilometers) per hour; one researcher reported that he put an atlatl dart through his garage door on his first attempt.
What’s the best distance to throw an atlatl?
While atlatls can travel up to 100 yards away, 15 yards is a pretty good distance to begin with. Always test using the same test darts. Once you become more comfortable throwing it, you can adjust a few variables – distance, different targets, variations of the atlatl, etc.
What makes an atlatl a good long range weapon?
This extra length allows the thrower to impart force to the dart over a longer distance, thus imparting more energy and ultimately higher speeds. A traditional atlatl is a long-range weapon and can readily impart to a projectile speeds of over 150 km/h (93 mph).