Spear-thrower facts for kids
A spear thrower is a clever tool, usually made of wood. People use it to throw spears much farther and faster than they could with just their arm. It's like an extension of your arm that helps you throw with more power! This tool has been used by many different groups of people around the world for a very long time.
How Spear Throwers Work
A spear thrower helps you throw a spear by giving your arm more leverage. Imagine using a long stick to lift something heavy; the longer the stick, the easier it is. A spear thrower works in a similar way. It makes your arm effectively longer, allowing you to put more energy into the throw. This extra length helps the spear build up more velocity (speed). When the spear moves faster, it has more force and can hit its target with greater impact. This makes hunting much more effective.
Different Names and Places
Spear throwers were used in many ancient groups and civilizations. For example, the Aztecs in what is now Mexico used them. They called this tool an atlatl.
In Australia, Aboriginal people have also used spear throwers for thousands of years. There, it is most widely known as a woomera. This name comes from the Dharug language. Spear throwers helped people hunt animals like kangaroos and emus.
Images for kids
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Carved Aztec atlatl at the National Museum of Anthropology and History in Mexico City
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Depiction of an atlatl
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Atlatl in use
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Bannerstone atlatl weight, c. 2000 BC. Archaic peoples; Ohio
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Upper Paleolithic articles
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Ceremonial spear thrower, Peru, 1–300 A.D., Lombards Museum
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The thrower is checking to see that the dart has been correctly located on the spur of the spear-thrower; next she will turn her head in the other direction, aim and throw
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See also
In Spanish: Propulsor (arma) para niños
