Throwing Fire: Projectile Technology Through History

Author(s): Alfred W Crosby

Year: 2002

Summary

J. Whittaker: Extended essay, reasonably well written, mostly accurate although superficial on details. Early sections favor Calvin’s theory of throwing as critical mental development [thankfully he only hints at Calvin’s handaxe throwing nonsense], and Bingham’s idea of group enforcement by throwing as promoting social development. Ethnographic accounts of remarkably accurate stone throwing. First spears at Schöningen 400,000 years ago. Upper Paleolithic - throwing stick or atlatl, adequate description and diagram. Mentions Perkins’ spring theories, but correctly explains atlatl in terms of lever arm. Australian anecdotes, Aztec darts “pass through armored man”, Frison experiment on elephants. Beginnings of fire use also discussed. Possible human causes of Pleistocene extinctions.

Cite this Record

Throwing Fire: Projectile Technology Through History. Alfred W Crosby. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2002 ( tDAR id: 423353)

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): EXARC Experimental Archaeology Collection Manager

Record Identifiers

ExArc Id(s): 10164

Notes

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