Atlatl use equalizes female and male projectile weapon velocity
Abstract The atlatl is a handheld, rod-shaped device that employs leverage to launch a dart, and represents a major human technological innovation. One hypothesis for forager atlatl adoption over its presumed predecessor, the thrown javelin, is that a diverse array of people could achieve equal perf...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-40451-8 |
| _version_ | 1797453228997083136 |
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| author | Michelle R. Bebber Briggs Buchanan Metin I. Eren Robert S. Walker Dexter Zirkle |
| author_facet | Michelle R. Bebber Briggs Buchanan Metin I. Eren Robert S. Walker Dexter Zirkle |
| author_sort | Michelle R. Bebber |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The atlatl is a handheld, rod-shaped device that employs leverage to launch a dart, and represents a major human technological innovation. One hypothesis for forager atlatl adoption over its presumed predecessor, the thrown javelin, is that a diverse array of people could achieve equal performance results, thereby facilitating inclusive participation of more people in hunting activities. We tested this hypothesis via a systematic assessment of 2160 weapon launch events by 108 people who used both technologies. Our results show that, unlike the javelin, the atlatl equalizes the velocity of female- and male-launched projectiles. This result indicates that a javelin to atlatl transition would have promoted a unification, rather than division, of labor. Moreover, our results suggest that female and male interments with atlatl weaponry should be interpreted similarly. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:19:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a6c14d5967dd4b12a52d3f7f281917f5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:19:46Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-a6c14d5967dd4b12a52d3f7f281917f52023-11-26T12:52:26ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-08-011311910.1038/s41598-023-40451-8Atlatl use equalizes female and male projectile weapon velocityMichelle R. Bebber0Briggs Buchanan1Metin I. Eren2Robert S. Walker3Dexter Zirkle4Department of Anthropology, Kent State UniversityDepartment of Anthropology, University of TulsaDepartment of Anthropology, Kent State UniversityDepartment of Anthropology, University of MissouriDepartment of Anthropology, Kent State UniversityAbstract The atlatl is a handheld, rod-shaped device that employs leverage to launch a dart, and represents a major human technological innovation. One hypothesis for forager atlatl adoption over its presumed predecessor, the thrown javelin, is that a diverse array of people could achieve equal performance results, thereby facilitating inclusive participation of more people in hunting activities. We tested this hypothesis via a systematic assessment of 2160 weapon launch events by 108 people who used both technologies. Our results show that, unlike the javelin, the atlatl equalizes the velocity of female- and male-launched projectiles. This result indicates that a javelin to atlatl transition would have promoted a unification, rather than division, of labor. Moreover, our results suggest that female and male interments with atlatl weaponry should be interpreted similarly.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-40451-8 |
| spellingShingle | Michelle R. Bebber Briggs Buchanan Metin I. Eren Robert S. Walker Dexter Zirkle Atlatl use equalizes female and male projectile weapon velocity Scientific Reports |
| title | Atlatl use equalizes female and male projectile weapon velocity |
| title_full | Atlatl use equalizes female and male projectile weapon velocity |
| title_fullStr | Atlatl use equalizes female and male projectile weapon velocity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Atlatl use equalizes female and male projectile weapon velocity |
| title_short | Atlatl use equalizes female and male projectile weapon velocity |
| title_sort | atlatl use equalizes female and male projectile weapon velocity |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-40451-8 |
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