Date of Graduation
5-2015
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Anthropology (MA)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Anthropology
Advisor/Mentor
Marvin Kay
Committee Member
Fred Limp
Second Committee Member
George Sabo III
Third Committee Member
John C. Whittaker
Keywords
Social sciences, Atlatls, Darts, Experimental archaeology, Spearthrowers
Abstract
Preserved atlatls and darts, commonly of small size, have been found across North America from the Early to Late Archaic. Close replications of these systems were employed in a naturalistic experiment on a fresh hog carcass. The use of high-speed cameras, a radar gun, and a video analysis program to measure dart velocity and view impacts in slow motion allowed a detailed analysis of the results. The experiment captured several details about atlatl and dart ballistics, including killing potential, the effects of point beveling on dart flight and impact, traceable impact damage on bones and stone points, and the effectiveness of various hafting arrangements. The results provide details about the atlatl and dart that will be helpful to the study of ancient hunting cultures.
Citation
Pettigrew, D. B. (2015). The Ballistics of Archaic North American Atlatls and Darts. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/1169
Ballistics of Archaic North American Atlatls and Darts