Stones of Contention: The Acheulean Handaxe Lethal Projectile Controversy

Handaxes Still Don't Fly

“…One implication of the new research presented by Samson (2006) is that four separate groups of researchers, over the course of almost three decades have performed similar experiments and have come to surprisingly different conclusions. Table 1 provides overall summaries of experiments that used several throwers and handaxes.…”

“…In this reply, we offer brief explanations for the variation in results of the three handaxe-hurling experiments by O'Brien (1981), Whittaker and McCall (2001), and Samson (2006). Next, we review some problems with the hand axe hurling idea that cannot be addressed with our collective experimental designs, and we discuss other actualistic research that leaves us doubting the effectiveness of hand axes as lethal projectiles.…”

“…We challenge all interested participants to a handaxe hurl-off in which we can exchange handaxes, examine personal throwing techniques, address the variation in experimental results, and resolve the issue of how often handaxes thrown with various techniques land on edge. We are especially interested in this option, since Samson (2006) has impugned our throwing reputations. We demand satisfaction!…”

“…O'Brien (1981O'Brien ( , 1984, Calvin (1983, 1990, 1993, 2o02) and, most recently, Samson (2006) have described handaxes as early hunting weapons, aerodynamically designed to be thrown like a discus, spinning in flight and most often turning in their descent so that they strike with the sharp edge or point. We have argued against this model and its evolutionary implications, as developed most fully by Calvin, basing our skepticism on both experimental and archaeological data (Whittaker and McCall 2001).…”

The acheulean handaxe: More like a bird's song than a beatles' tune?

“…Most conspicuously, there is disagreement about their function. Most researchers consider handaxes to be cutting tools, but it has also been suggested that they were throwing weapons . In addition, it has been proposed that they played a role in social and/or sexual signaling .…”