What exactly is this?
Posted by [keith4142]
Moderator Note: this thread was first posted in 2012 but failed to transfer across to the new forum when the software was updated, and so has been re-created manually.
This was given to me by my Grandfather and was given to him by his Grandfather. I was told it was used for bow strings.. but not entirely sure... I put it in my hand for scale.
any help would be appreciated!
Posted by [greywolf22]
Looks like an atlatal weight. Can we see the other side? It is a real nice artifact.
Jack
Posted by [turkeytail]
Nice piece!
Posted by [keith4142]
Sure here is reverse side!
Posted by [keith4142]
So what exactly is a atlatal weight? Anyway to tell the approx date of a object like this?
Posted by [greywolf22]
Yes that is an atlatal weight. These type weights were used from Paleo time tell the bow replaced the atlatal.
It consists of a shaft with a cup or a spur at the end that supports and propels the butt of the dart. The atlatl is held in one hand, gripped near the end farthest from the cup. The dart is thrown by the action of the upper arm and wrist. The throwing arm together with the atlatl acts as a lever. The atlatl is a low-mass, fast-moving extension of the throwing arm, increasing the length of the lever. This extra length allows the thrower to impart force to the dart over a longer distance, thus imparting more energy and ultimately higher speeds
A traditional atlatl is a long-range weapon and can readily impart to a projectile speeds of over 93 mph.
Here is a picture of how it went on the atlatal or throwing stick.
Atlatl weights add balance and stability to an atlatl system. They improve accuracy for many atlatlists and make it easier to hold the atlatl steady while aiming at the target. One reason it helps to steady the atlatl is that it balances the weight of the dart. It also adds inertia to the system which tends to minimize shaking and wiggling caused by the atlatlists body functions such as heartbeat and respiration etc.
Depending on the placement of the weight on the shaft of the atlatl, there is also more or less of a "pendulum effect" which helps to stabilize the swinging atlatl during the shot. Placing the weight closer to the hook end of the atlatl produces more of the effect at the expense of some of the speed or energy of the shot. Placing the weight closer to the handle is a good compromise between not having a weight and having it out at the distal end.
Jack
Posted by [keith4142]
Moderator Note: this thread was first posted in 2012 but failed to transfer across to the new forum when the software was updated, and so has been re-created manually.
This was given to me by my Grandfather and was given to him by his Grandfather. I was told it was used for bow strings.. but not entirely sure... I put it in my hand for scale.
any help would be appreciated!
Posted by [greywolf22]
Looks like an atlatal weight. Can we see the other side? It is a real nice artifact.
Jack
Posted by [turkeytail]
Nice piece!
Posted by [keith4142]
Sure here is reverse side!
Posted by [keith4142]
So what exactly is a atlatal weight? Anyway to tell the approx date of a object like this?
Posted by [greywolf22]
Yes that is an atlatal weight. These type weights were used from Paleo time tell the bow replaced the atlatal.
It consists of a shaft with a cup or a spur at the end that supports and propels the butt of the dart. The atlatl is held in one hand, gripped near the end farthest from the cup. The dart is thrown by the action of the upper arm and wrist. The throwing arm together with the atlatl acts as a lever. The atlatl is a low-mass, fast-moving extension of the throwing arm, increasing the length of the lever. This extra length allows the thrower to impart force to the dart over a longer distance, thus imparting more energy and ultimately higher speeds
A traditional atlatl is a long-range weapon and can readily impart to a projectile speeds of over 93 mph.
Here is a picture of how it went on the atlatal or throwing stick.
Atlatl weights add balance and stability to an atlatl system. They improve accuracy for many atlatlists and make it easier to hold the atlatl steady while aiming at the target. One reason it helps to steady the atlatl is that it balances the weight of the dart. It also adds inertia to the system which tends to minimize shaking and wiggling caused by the atlatlists body functions such as heartbeat and respiration etc.
Depending on the placement of the weight on the shaft of the atlatl, there is also more or less of a "pendulum effect" which helps to stabilize the swinging atlatl during the shot. Placing the weight closer to the hook end of the atlatl produces more of the effect at the expense of some of the speed or energy of the shot. Placing the weight closer to the handle is a good compromise between not having a weight and having it out at the distal end.
Jack
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