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https://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl General >> Project Goliath - The History of The Sling >> Skull injuries and sling use https://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1299262416 Message started by David Morningstar on Mar 4^th, 2011 at 1:13pm

Title: Skull injuries and sling use
Post by David Morningstar on Mar 4^th, 2011 at 1:13pm

http://www.google.com/search?q=califmed00148-0044.pdf

"Observations by Bunkerah on its use in New Caledonia revealed that natives could knock down three out of five fruit bats at 60 yards, using a river-bed stone with a sling. The Hawaiian slingstone was biconical, was 2.65 inches long and weighed 4.73 ounces, a little less than abaseball. The natives shaped it by rolling it between flat stones with motion to right and left as well as back and forth. Using a sling made from pandanus leaf, a skillful warrior hurled a stone so that it revolved on its axis like a rifle bullet."

Title: Re: Skull injuries and sling use
Post by Knaight on Mar 30^th, 2011 at 6:19pm

David Morningstar wrote on Mar 4^th, 2011 at 1:13pm:

http://www.google.com/search?q=califmed00148-0044.pdf

"Observations by Bunkerah on its use in New Caledonia revealed that natives could knock down three out of five fruit bats at 60 yards, using a river-bed stone with a sling. The Hawaiian slingstone was biconical, was 2.65 inches long and weighed 4.73 ounces, a little less than abaseball. The natives shaped it by rolling it between flat stones with motion to right and left as well as back and forth. Using a sling made from pandanus leaf, a skillful warrior hurled a stone so that it revolved on its axis like a rifle bullet."

I'm impressed. That is really nice accuracy right there.

Title: Re: Skull injuries and sling use
Post by IronGoober on Apr 25^th, 2011 at 4:10pm

Agreed, that is some amazing accuracy. If I could do that at 20 yards I would be extremely impressed with myself. I'm amazed that they can achieve that kind of accuracy so far away. Stones really tend to drop fast that far out...accounting for that would be difficult. I wonder if the bats were moving or stationary...it does say that they were knocked down...I would assume they were moving.

Title: Re: Skull injuries and sling use
Post by Aussie on Apr 25^th, 2011 at 11:18pm

Our local fruit bats are nocturnal so, assuming the New Caledonian species are similar, they sleep during the day hanging upside down from high branches with their wings wrapped around them, a stationary target somewhat smaller than a football.

Title: Re: Skull injuries and sling use
Post by IronGoober on Apr 29^th, 2011 at 5:40pm

Ah, yes, I suppose you would be correct Aussie. I forgot about the noctural-ness of bats, they would most likely just be hanging. I'm still very envious of their skill.

Title: Re: Skull injuries and sling use
Post by Thunder Chief on May 11^th, 2011 at 6:32pm

Aussie wrote on Apr 25^th, 2011 at 11:18pm:

Becasue hitting a small football from the better part of a footballfield away is easy ::)