Here is a sequence I took  to illustrate dart flex for my How to Kill a Mastodon talk at Ignite Ann Arbor:

This great video by Pascal Chavaux really shows how much a dart flexes:

Nice shot! Nice hat!

For Immediate Release

Jim Gilligan
Michigan Atlatl Association

Chelsea Youth Tops World With Prehistoric Spearthrower

Chelsea, Michigan - 20/3/2010 - Harold Eyster, 15, of Chelsea finished the 2009 atlatl season ranked number 1 in the Youth Division of the World Atlatl Association.

      Atlatls are ancient weapons that preceded the bow and arrow in most parts of the world and are one of humankind's first mechanical inventions. The word atlatl (pronounced at-latal or atal-atal) comes from the Nahuatl language of the Aztec, who were still using them when encountered by the Spanish in the 1500s. Other words include spear-thrower, estolica (Spanish), propulseur (French), speerschleuder (German) and woomera or miru (English versions of the most common Australian terms).

      An atlatl is essentially a stick with a handle on one end and a hook or socket that engages a light spear or “dart” on the other. The flipping motion of the atlatl propels a light spear much faster and farther than it could be thrown by hand alone. In the area now know as Michigan Paleo people used the atlatl to hunt Mastodons and other Megafauna.

      Harold Eyster will be defending his title as World Atlatl Association Youth Champion starting at the atlatl contests to be held on April 11 at the Chelsea Rod & Gun Club, Chelsea, Michigan.

      The Michigan Atlatl Association will be hosting these contests in conjunction with the Michigan Flintknappers Spring Gathering at Chelsea Rod & Gun.

      The Michigan Atlatl Association is an educational organization dedicated to teaching about the ancient atlatl.

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