spearthrower

A spearthrower, also known as a spear-thrower or atlatl in some regions, is a tool that uses a short lever to propel a spear with greater velocity and range than could be achieved by arm throw alone. It typically consists of a handle or shaft and a hook, socket, or notch at one end that cradles the butt of a light spear or dart, while the other end acts as a lever against which the thrower snaps their forearm.

The spear is attached to the spearthrower at the butt, resting on a spear rest or within a notch, and held in place until release. During a throw, energy stored in the lever is transferred to the spear, increasing its speed at the moment of release. Spearthrowers vary in length and construction; common materials include wood, bone, or antler, and some are carved or decorated.

Evidence of spearthrower use dates from the late Upper Paleolithic and appears in many parts of the world, including Europe, the Americas, and Australasia. In the Americas, the device is often referred to as an atlatl; in Australia, the related form is the woomera. The spread and variation reflect regional hunting practices and resources. The advent of the bow and arrow and, later, firearms led to a decline in spearthrower use in many areas, though some communities continue to employ them for traditional hunting.

In modern times, spearthrowers are made for educational demonstrations, sport, and historical reenactment, as well as for Indigenous practices in some regions. They are also studied by archaeologists and physicists to understand throwing mechanics and prehistoric technology.