Atlatl is a word used in the Nahuatl language spoken by the Aztecs, which means “throwing stick”. An Atlatl is a device used to throw light spears, or darts. Basically an atlatl is a short (ca. 2ft.) stick with a small spur at one end. It allows a spear to be thrown farther and with much greater force than by hand alone. Atlatls have been used for at least 20,000 years, and at one point in time served as the primary hunting technology of humans around the world. Many atlatls and darts have been collected from dry caves in Nevada and Utah dating back hundreds to thousands of years.

Although they were largely replaced during prehistoric times by the bow and arrow, in many parts of the world, their use has persisted into the modern era. In fact, Aztec and Native American warriors used them to great effect against armored Spanish conquistadors. Inhabitants of the Lake Patzcuaro area in Western Mexico continued to use atlatls, which they called phatamu, for hunting water birds and for spearing fish. Similarly, this device also saw common usage among the indigenous inhabitants of Australia, where it was referred to as a woomera. The ability to use an atlatl with only one hand seems to be one of the reasons for its persistence in the face of bow and arrow technology. In warfare, the spear and atlatl allows the user a free arm for defending with a shield. Likewise, hunting from a boat is much easier because one hand could be used to control the craft. An additional advantage is the fact that the atlatl darts are capable of striking a target with much greater force than an arrow and thus the ability to take much larger game.

Atlatls are a surprisingly simple, yet effective, means of hurling a spear with a tremendous (and potentially lethal) amount of force. Although the design of throwers can vary significantly, all share some crucial features. The most important is a projection, or spur, on the upper rear of the thrower, which engages a cup-like depression on the end of the dart. Once secured against the spur, the dart is propelled straight forward in a motion similar to throwing a football. The atlatl acts as an extension of the arm and allows the dart to be thrown with a higher velocity and thus greater force on impact.

Atlatl technology has experienced a renaissance in the past 20 years. Although archaeologists and anthropologists have conducted research on the technology for over a century, there has been an upwelling of recreational interest, leading to the formation of the World Atlatl Association in 1987-1988. This organization, which currently boasts over 400 members worldwide, administers the yearly atlatl accuracy competition and publishes a regular newsletter that keeps members abreast of the recent developments in the sport. A complete listing of all atlatl competitions, including those in the United States, can be found on their website at www.worldatlatl.org. Several competitions are held in Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota each year.

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