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= The atlatl is an ancient form of spear or dart thrower used by humans since around 30,000 B.C.E. The amazing thing about the atlatl in the ancient world is that its use was so widespread despite zero contact between the societies it appears in. The atlatl was used especially in Europe, the Americas, and even australia and New Guinea (though there it is called a woomera). Though it was completely replaced by the bow and arrows in Europe, Native American and Pacific cultures continued using them up into the common era. The atlatl itself is a piece of wood between two and four feet in length with a notch or cup at one end and finger grooves at the other. Many times this basic design is improved by a weight in the middle or leather finger loops by the finger grooves. The darts thrown by the atlatl vary greatly from four to nine feet in length and required careful design in order to have enough spring to be an effective weapon.







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