Atlatl
Specifications
- Type
- Spear-Thrower
- Origin
- Africa / Europe / Americas
- Era
- Upper Paleolithic, c. 30,000 years ago
- Notable Users
- Aztec warriors, Aboriginal Australians, Upper Paleolithic hunters
- Epoch
- Ancient Age
History
The atlatl is a lever-based spear-throwing device that effectively extends the length of the thrower's arm, dramatically increasing the velocity and range of a dart or light spear. A skilled user can launch a projectile at over 90 mph — fast enough to penetrate megafauna hide. The atlatl predates the bow by tens of thousands of years and remained the primary ranged weapon of Mesoamerican armies even after contact with European firearms. The Aztec word ‘atlatl’ is the source of the modern English name.
Significance
The atlatl is the first weapon that amplifies the human body through leverage. Earlier weapons improved the projectile. The atlatl improved the thrower. That's a different kind of thinking entirely, and it predates the bow by tens of thousands of years.
54 Weapons. Five Epochs. One Poster.
The Atlatl is one of 9 weapons from the Ancient Age featured on the poster.
Get the Poster