Atlatl Dart Velocity: Accurate Measurements and Implications for Paleoindian and Archaic Archaeology

Whittaker, John C.; Pettigrew, Devin B.; Grohsmeyer, Ryan J.

doi:10.1080/20555563.2017.1301133

Cited by 57 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…We reasoned that a prehistoric person—given a particular weapon system—would not have been able simply to muster more energy to achieve a greater velocity with a heavier point, nor would they have necessarily used less energy to achieve a slower velocity with a lighter point. The velocities thus reflect that: given a single hypothetical individual firing all fourteen forms, the more massive projectiles travel slower than smaller ones although we note that the velocities in our experiment fall well within the range of human atlatl throwing 39 . To measure velocity (m/s), we used a Gamma Master Model Shooting Chronograph throughout the experiment ( 31 : 40–41).…”

Section: Methodssupporting

confidence: 55%

Tip cross-sectional geometry predicts the penetration depth of stone-tipped projectiles

Sitton

Story

Buchanan

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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Understanding prehistoric projectile weaponry performance is fundamental to unraveling past humans' survival and the evolution of technology. one important debate involves how deeply stone-tipped projectiles penetrate a target. theoretically, all things being equal, projectiles with smaller tip cross-sectional geometries should penetrate deeper into a target than projectiles with larger tip cross-sectional geometries. Yet, previous experiments have both supported and questioned this theoretical premise. Here, under controlled conditions, we experimentally examine fourteen types of stone-tipped projectile each possessing a different cross-sectional geometry. Our results show that both tip cross-sectional area (tcSA) and tip cross-sectional perimeter (tcSp) exhibit a strong, significant inverse relationship with target penetration depth, although TCSP's relationship is stronger. We discuss why our experimental results support what is mathematically predicted while previous experiments have not. our results are consistent with the hypothesis that when stone tip cross-sectional geometries become smaller over time in particular contexts, this evolution may be due to the selection of these attributes for increased penetration.

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Section: Methodssupporting

confidence: 55%

Tip cross-sectional geometry predicts the penetration depth of stone-tipped projectiles

Sitton

Story

Buchanan

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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“…Arrow velocities were measured with a Caldwell Ballistic Precision™ chronograph, and they averaged 43 meters per second. This velocity is at the lower end of the data summarized by Tomka (2013) for Native American archery equipment in general and is consistent with results reported by Parks (2017) for his reconstruction of Southwestern US bows, as well as those of Whittaker and colleagues (2017), who extensively review the available data.…”

Section: Arrowpoint Reworking Experiments Methodssupporting

confidence: 89%

“…The primary performance characteristic for a projectile is the kinetic energy of the weapon, which is a function of mass and velocity (Anderson et al 2016). Using a launching mechanism of a fixed propulsive force, heavier projectiles have greater energy because more force is transferred to heavier projectiles during launch than lighter ones (Baker 2001:107; Cotterell and Kamminga 1992:33–35; Hughes 1998; Klopsteg 1993; Kooi 1983:28; VanPool 2003:162; Whittaker et al 2017). Not only does a heavier projectile have more kinetic energy when launched, it also decelerates at a slower rate (Kooi 1983:69; VanPool 2003:122).…”

Section: Projectile Point Performancementioning

confidence: 99%

Projectile Point Reworking: An Experimental Study of Arrowpoint Use Life

et al. 2019

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This article summarizes the results of controlled experiments in which flaked-stone points that varied in impact strength by a factor of almost three were shot at media that were increasingly inelastic and therefore likely to break the points. Broken tips were reworked if possible, and used again under the same conditions. Our results show that all damage to low impact-strength materials, especially obsidian, was generally catastrophic, and, consequently, these points could only rarely be reworked. The fact that low-strength stones were commonly used to make small arrowpoints suggests that reworking was not a primary concern for their designers. Furthermore, in those instances when broken tips could be reworked, their performance declined. In addition, reworking broken points also resulted in shapes that are uncommon in many arrowpoint assemblages. Our results suggest that the original design attributes of arrowpoints may have been less affected by reworking, and, consequently, may more accurately suggest temporal and behavioral associations.

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“…Despite their recreational nature, such events are helpful for understanding the suitability of raw materials and the possible diversity in appropriate gestures, which has resulted in useful feedback relevant to archaeological experimentation (Whittaker et al . ). It is essential that this existing knowledge on the gestures linked with each propulsion mode is utilized to improve the reliability of projectile experiments.…”

Section: Propulsion Techniques and Existing Kinetic Energy Datamentioning

confidence: 97%

“…The values appear extreme and are clearly outliers with regard to all other measurements, so we suspect errors linked to the measurement device (Whittaker et al . ). Most other measurements have been performed using a high‐speed video camera and speed radar (Table ).…”

Section: Propulsion Techniques and Existing Kinetic Energy Datamentioning

confidence: 97%

Ballistic Study Tackles Kinetic Energy Values of Palaeolithic Weaponry

et al. 2019

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The appearance of new projectile propulsion modes is viewed as an important element for understanding human behaviour during the Palaeolithic. Because the organic components of hunting weapons (the bow, spear-thrower and arrow, and spear shaft) are only rarely preserved archaeologically, some effort has been invested in experiments to explore how the projecting modes could be identified through the analysis of stone points. The kinetic energy developed by each mode of propulsion has been considered a key variable in these experiments. However, the data used in these studies generally come from a few ballistic studies, with varied results. We present the results of a systematic study conducted with a ballistic pendulum and combined with a classic ballistic analysis. We quantified and compared the kinetic energy developed by the four standard modes of propulsion known for the Palaeolithic. The kinetic energy values that we attained, especially those measured for thrusting spears, clearly differ from what has been assumed up to now, and thus challenge current models on the evolution of hunting technology.

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Atlatl Dart Velocity: Accurate Measurements and Implications for Paleoindian and Archaic Archaeology

Cited by 57 publications

References 38 publications

Tip cross-sectional geometry predicts the penetration depth of stone-tipped projectiles

Tip cross-sectional geometry predicts the penetration depth of stone-tipped projectiles

Projectile Point Reworking: An Experimental Study of Arrowpoint Use Life

Ballistic Study Tackles Kinetic Energy Values of Palaeolithic Weaponry

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