By Daryl Hrdlicka
Before the bow and arrow there was the atlatl*, or spear-thrower, an ancient weapon that could throw
a spear or dart with enough force to penetrate a mammoth’s hide. It was used in North America for
about 10,000 years, and used by native Australians and Aleuts as recently as 50 years ago. It’s easy to make your own atlatl, and throwing with it is fun and very satisfying. Here’s how to make one in the style of the Kuikuru (kwee-KOO-roo) of the Amazon Basin, who still use the spear-thrower today. I’ll also explain how to make darts for it, and how to throw. But never forget that the atlatl is a weapon. It is dangerous. A dart will go through a side of beef. So I’ll go through some precautions as well.