spearthrower

Primitive projectile aid

A spearthrower is a handheld device that extends the arm's leverage to hurl a spear with greater force and distance than throwing by hand alone.

The tool typically consists of a shaft with a hook or cup at one end to hold the spear's base.

Also called an atlatl, from the Nahuatl word.

mechanics

leverage

Borrowed capital for amplified returns

velocityDirected rate of motion
trajectoryPath of moving object
propulsionForce driving movement forward

release · projectile · dart · arc · force · extension · rotation · accuracy · range · momentum

weapon

dart

Handheld pointed projectile

javelinThrowing spear for sport
harpoonBarbed spear for whales
shaftNarrow vertical passage

point · fletching · projectile · ranged · tip · obsidian · warfare · combat · defense · piercing

prehistoric

dart

Handheld pointed projectile

PaleolithicEarliest archaeological era
MesolithicMiddle stone era
NeolithicFinal prehistoric stone-tool era

Clovis · aboriginal · indigenous · ancient · Aztec · Maya · Olmec · ancestral · cave paintings · rock art

artifact

dart

Handheld pointed projectile

effigySculpted human representation
lithicOf or relating to stone
carvingShaping by cutting away

flintknapping · chert · excavation · weight · hook · spur · grip · antler · bone · ivory

hunting

prey

Animal being hunted

trackingMonitoring location over time
stalkingStealthy, persistent pursuit
ambushSurprise strike from concealment

game · pursuit · hunter-gatherer · stealth · range · accuracy · aim · thrust · distance · kill

Categories

Aboriginal artifactsboomerang, boomerangs, didgeridoo, didgeridoos, bullroarer

Opposites

weapon mechanism/technology

spearthrowerbow

Respectful forward inclination

firearm · gun · rifle · bow and arrow · crossbow

combat range

spearthrowersword

Hilted fighting blade

club · knife · dagger · melee weapon · mace

Family

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G