Spears

These spears and spearthrowers (more correctly called the atl-atl and dart) are copies of originals and are made of all natural materials. The thrower is made of hardwood and the spear is made of large growth river cane with a hardwood foreshaft.  The foreshaft is blunt for practice but can be tipped with a stone spear point for demonstration or hunting. The atl-atl and dart is a weapon system that predates the bow and arrow and was used by numerous North American and Central American tribes (most notably the Aztecs) as far back as 12,000 years ago.  Its use in Europe goes back much further, at least 50,000 years, and it was also used by Australian aborigines to hunt kangaroos and other big game. 

I saw first-hand what these weapons could do when I was on Discovery Channel's I, Caveman. On July 27,2011 we brought down a trophy bull elk with atl-atl's and darts, the first ever documented big game kill with replica Paleolithic weapons. 

EXTREME care and lots of room is required when using this weapon because the thrower multiplies the force that a dart can be thrown by over 300%.  Darts carry incredible penetrating power and can be thrown well over 100 yards.  As with all weapons be aware of your target and what is around and behind it.  

Click the link below to watch a short clip of me on Discovery Channel's I, Caveman, where we finally brought down the elk and butchered it with stone tools.   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyJhtrM2wnA&list=UU91cRUSzWT0nL66FhKHciIQ