Design and construction of Australian spearthrower projectiles and handthrown spears
Author(s): John L Palter
Year: 1977
Summary
J. Whittaker: Ethnographic specimens: 33 hand-thrown and 293 spear thrower spears [unfortunately not illustrated].
Hypothesized diffusion after 10,000 bp, but thrower not used all over Australia.
Two length groups of spear thrower spears: 1) average 160 cm, 2) average 260cm. Hand-thrown spears average 267 cm.
Mass: Hand-thrown average 740 gm, thrower average 246 gm.
Decreased mass allows maximum velocity - led to composite reed spears, with hardwood points.
Balance: spear thrower spears: weight forward, 32-40% and 42-46% of length from tip, while hand-thrown spears typically 46-50%.
Cite this Record
Design and construction of Australian spearthrower projectiles and handthrown spears. John L Palter. Archaeology and Physical Anthropology in Oceania. 12 (3): 161-172. 1977 ( tDAR id: 415883)
Spatial Coverage
min long: 112.952; min lat: -43.648 ; max long: 153.606; max lat: -10.71 ;
Individual & Institutional Roles
Contact(s): EXARC Experimental Archaeology Collection Manager
Record Identifiers
ExArc Id(s): 2137
Notes
Rights & Attribution: The information in this record was originally compiled by Dr. Roeland Paardekooper, EXARC Director.