Palaeolithic Spear-Throwers

Summary

J. Whittaker: 66 specimens, Magdalenian, 2 or 3 complete, 6 antler part complete but intended to have wooden extension.

Most hooked (male type), 1 or 2 groove and hook, 1 doubtful female type.

Most (41) plain "stick" type of antler, 21 "weighted" by sculpture on a palm of the antler, which incorporates hook.

Horse most common motif (29), also reindeer, deer, bison, ibex, mammoth, birds, fish, feline, musk-ox, chamois. Shaft often curved so contacts spear only at hook and handle. Some carvings may serve as weight balancing spear. Complete specimens 28-34 cm long, but hole in proximal end may be for peg to hold on wooden handle, or wooden cross bar grip - now need experiments.

Brief individual descriptions, line drawings.

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): 10172

Notes

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