How Does an Atlatl Work
The Atlatl Is an Ancient Weapon Predating the Bow and Arrow. Essentially, It’s a Throwing Device Using a Spear (Known as a Dart) That Uses Leverage to Give...
The atlatl is an ancient weapon predating the bow and arrow. Essentially, it’s a throwing device using a spear (known as a dart) that uses leverage to give more velocity. Using a flipping motion can propel darts to speeds close to 80 mph. History suggests that mastodons were hunted using these primitive weapons.
How accurate is an atlatl?
Atlatls are much more accurate than spears at any range. As for the bow/arrow — Atlatl darts are like giant arrows. They’re 3-10 times the weight of an arrow, but they aren’t nearly as accurate as an arrow except at short ranges like 10-20 meters. A lot of atlatlists are almost as accurate as archers at close range.
How far can a spear be thrown with an atlatl?
However, there is a weapon older than the bow and arrow and far deadlier than the basic spear – the atlatl, a weapon capable of sending a projectile over 120 yards and killing a wooly mammoth. Still being used by today’s hunters and competitors, the atlatl has aged gracefully through the years.
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.
