The History and Usage of the Atlatl Spear Thrower

Pronounced at-lat-ul or aht-lah-tul, the spear thrower known as an atlatl is made up of a lever-like handle, usually made from wood or bone, and a hook that holds the back of a dart or spear. It allows the user to launch projectiles with incredible force and accuracy over far greater distances than by hand alone.

While it’s almost impossible to say for sure that it was the first, the atlatl – sometimes spelled ahtlatl – is certainly one of humankind’s earliest mechanical inventions, and it was developed independently by early cultures all over the world.

This time-trip back to when hunter-gatherers roamed the planet will shed light on one of the most fascinating early creations in history, the atlatl spear-throwing lever.

It’s believed the atlatl spear thrower was first developed around 30,000 years ago in the Upper Paleolithic period by hunter-gatherer cultures across the globe. Archaeological findings suggest the atlatl became widely distributed among early societies who relied heavily on hunting large game, or megafauna, such as mammoths and bison, for their survival.

Some of the earliest peoples known to have used the atlatl include the Clovis culture in North America, as well as ancient groups in Europe, Australia, and Asia. In Mesoamerica and South America, the ahtlatl was prominent in the art and textiles of many pre-Columbian cultures, including the Maya from the Yucatán Peninsula in southeast Mexico, the Moche from the Andes in northern Peru, and the Teotihuacan culture.

The spear-throwing lever works by acting as an extension of the thrower’s arm, allowing them to throw a spear or dart much farther and with more force than could be done by hand alone. It’s a simple tool made of a flexible stick or handle with a small hook at the end. The hook holds the back of the spear or dart, and when the thrower swings their arm forward, the atlatl acts as a lever, propelling the spear forward.

Modern versions of these prehistoric spear throwers have resulted in speeds of up to 80 mph (128 km/h) with a range of close to 100 metres (328 feet), but the darts will lose much of their force over that distance. It’s thought a distance of around 20 metres (65 feet) could have brought down a large animal.

If the physics is hard to grasp, most dog owners have used a modern-day atlatl. The long plastic handle with a grip at the end for holding and launching a tennis ball much further than it can be thrown by hand works in exactly the same way as a 30,000-year old implement used for throwing spears.

The primary purpose of the atlatl was hunting, especially for large animals that would have been difficult to bring down with simple hand-thrown spears. The added velocity and range allowed hunters to stay at a safer distance while still delivering a lethal blow. In addition to its hunting applications, the atlatl was later used in battle by various groups, particularly in Mesoamerica. The word ‘atlatl’ itself originates from the Nahuatl language, spoken by the Aztecs, who used the weapon effectively in warfare.

The oldest known example of an ahtlatl was found at a cave site in Combe Saunière in the Dordogne region of western France. It was made of reindeer antler and is around 17,500 years old. Another, from the nearby La Madeleine site, is around 13,000 years old, and an atlatl found further south in the Canecaude cave site near Toulouse dates to around 14,000 years ago and is carved in the shape of a mammoth.

The oldest complete spear thrower found in America was located on the shores of Lake Winnemucca in western Nevada and is around 8,000 years old. There are also early examples from Nazca and Inca cultures, and in Australia, even older evidence of atlatl use has been uncovered in the form of rock art and carved spear-throwers. The presence of these depictions in ancient rock art supports the idea that the spear thrower was used all over the world by early human societies.

The use of the atlatl began to decline in favour of the bow and arrow at different times across various cultures, generally between 15,000 and 2,000 years ago. In many parts of the world, this transition occurred during the Late Paleolithic to the Neolithic periods. For example, in Europe, the bow and arrow started to become the dominant projectile weapon around 10,000 years ago. In North America, the bow and arrow were adopted much later, perhaps somewhere between 500 BC and 500 AD, gradually replacing the atlatl.

The bow and arrow offered certain advantages over the atlatl, including faster shooting rates and projectiles that were easier to carry in large quantities. It was also more versatile for different hunting scenarios, including smaller game, and allowed for more stealth due to the quieter release of arrows compared to the throwing motion of the atlatl.

However, the shift was not immediate or universal. In some cultures, both weapons were used concurrently for hundreds, if not thousands of years. The atlatl continued to be used in certain regions where its advantages – such as greater power and range for larger prey – remained valuable. The eventual dominance of the bow and arrow was influenced by changes in hunting practices, prey availability, and other factors that favoured its efficiency and practicality.

Today, it’s not only of interest for historians and archaeologists researching its craftsmanship and impact on ancient human survival strategies, but also enjoys a resurgence in recreational use among enthusiasts. The World Atlatl Association formed in 1987 and promotes the spear thrower, with information, crafting workshops and events. There are also a number of competitions held mostly in America, including the annual Northeast Open Atlatl Championship in Vermont.

The atlatl was instrumental in shaping early human survival and societal development. Its invention allowed early humans to hunt more effectively, securing food and resources that were crucial for their communities. Modern revivals of atlatl crafting and throwing not only preserve this ancient skill but also offer valuable insights into the innovative spirit of early humans and their ability to overcome challenges with simple yet remarkably effective tools.