Experiments in the function and performance of the weighted atlatl

Summary

J. Whittaker: Atlatl makes arc, but NOT with the diameter = arm + atlatl, i.e. nock and spear follow straight line, with handle going down. [Not correct throw, lacks power – he misunderstands normal atlatl mechanics, although he is right about diameter (apparently responding to Butler). His drawing of the throw shows that he does in fact flip the atlatl, but to keep to his model, bends his body forward at the waist, bringing the arm down – very poor form.]

Velocity of 70 gm dart consistently 20-21 m/sec measured with high speed photos, and 20-27 m/sec measured with radar speed gun, thrown with replica Basketmaker atlatl with/without 40 gram weight.

Weights give some speed/distance advantage. [He claims 8.2% higher speed measured with radar gun, and 5-11% greater distance with weighted atlatl, but his means and graph show there is absolutely no statistically valid difference in mean velocity or mean distance thrown. Measured with photos, there is no velocity difference even to him.]

Weight stabilizes, improves accuracy.

Atlatl survived against bow because produced more force than primitive bow [not than modern though] and allowed one handed use in Eskimo fishing from kayak.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• EXARC Experimental Archaeology Collection

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): EXARC Experimental Archaeology Collection Manager

Record Identifiers

ExArc Id(s): 2781

Notes

Rights & Attribution: The information in this record was originally compiled by Dr. Roeland Paardekooper, EXARC Director.