Atlatl! Students face off in ancient spear throwing competition
Have you ever heard of an atlatl? It is an ancient tool that uses leverage to allow a spear to be thrown faster and further. It is a lot like the...
Oct 10, 2014 — Have you ever heard of an atlatl? It is an ancient tool that uses leverage to allow a spear to be thrown faster and further. It is a lot like the tennis ball launcher used by dog-owners that lets them play fetch without having to touch the ball.
These days, some people use atlatls for fun. There is even a company that makes them, Thunderbird Atlatl, in Candor, N.Y. A couple of weeks ago, anthropology students from SUNY Potsdam and St. Lawrence University faced off to see who could most accurately throw a spear with an atlatl. Zach Hirsch was there and sent this audio postcard.
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Dr. Elizabeth Paris: Welcome to Atlatl Battle 2014!
Dr. Timothy Messner: We are using ancient technology–and by ancient I mean about 17,000 years ago, which is the oldest evidence for an atlatl. It is a stick with a hook that’s used to propel a six foot long dart.
TM: My name is Tim Messner, I’m an assistant professor at SUNY Potsdam. The atlatl has increased in popularity over the last decade or so. It’s certainly not the most well-known of sporting events but it is out there.
Christian Brown: Hi, my name is Christian Brown. I’m a junior and an anthropology major here at St. Lawrence University. And this is another great way to essentially participate in what our heritage is. Culture; it’s all part of anthropology and I’m happy we can do it here in the anthro club at St. Lawrence.
Julia Andryuk: Hi, I’m Julia Andryuk, I’m a SUNY Potsdam transfer student. It’s been a really cool process of not just learning how to use the tools, but also to create them.
Bob Berg: I’m trying to make a little pile of razor blades here with my core.
BB: Hello my name is Bob Berg, I’m from Thunderbird Atlatl. Thunderbird Atlatl is a company that makes atlatls and darts. And now it’s coming back to the colleges, as a sport. And I’m quite excited about the fact that there are two colleges competing here. Every one of these gigs we do takes it a little further, you know?
EP: I am Dr. Elizabeth Paris; I’m a visiting assistant professor in the Anthropology department here at SLU.
ZH: If people from that time could travel forward to now, they’d probably be a little confused.
EP: They’d probably be most confused about why we’re throwing at targets, rather than out there hunting our dinner, but I think they’d get into it, and they’d probably put us all to shame.
EP: And the winner of the first ever Atlatl Battle 2014 is St Lawrence University!
