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https://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl General >> Other Primitive Weapons >> Golden Atlatl https://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1332005947 Message started by Rockman on Mar 17^th, 2012 at 1:39pm

Title: Golden Atlatl
Post by Rockman on Mar 17^th, 2012 at 1:39pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAcfQdUHhsE

A good museum piece.

Title: Re: Golden Atlatl
Post by Bill Skinner on Mar 21^st, 2012 at 1:14am

Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

Title: Re: Golden Atlatl
Post by xxkid123 on Mar 21^st, 2012 at 1:23am

The atlatl looks like it has been damaged. Is there anymore history to it?

Title: Re: Golden Atlatl
Post by Paleoarts on Mar 21^st, 2012 at 2:16am

it wont play for me :(

Title: Re: Golden Atlatl
Post by Rockman on Mar 21^st, 2012 at 10:18am

Paleoarts wrote on Mar 21^st, 2012 at 2:16am:

it wont play for me :(

Try again, if you can´t see it, I´ll be hapy to sent you a copy, it´s only a 30 second video.

Title: Re: Golden Atlatl
Post by Rockman on Mar 21^st, 2012 at 10:21am

xxkid123 wrote on Mar 21^st, 2012 at 1:23am:

The atlatl looks like it has been damaged. Is there anymore history to it?

It seems that time has curved the wood, that´s the sole extend of the damage. This had to be from a noble, they were the ones using gold and silver in their clothes and weapons.

Title: Re: Golden Atlatl
Post by xxkid123 on Mar 21^st, 2012 at 10:06pm

Yeah, I noticed the warping and thought it might have been because the gold had bent. I thought it was a solid gold piece too, so it would be more delicate. Didn't know that it was wood with gold and silver inlay/covering. Still very cool.

Title: Re: Golden Atlatl
Post by curious_aardvark on Mar 22^nd, 2012 at 8:04am

looks more like bamboo than wood.

see those regular circular ridges - that's bamboo not wood.
Or could be repair points ?

Title: Re: Golden Atlatl
Post by Mauro Fiorentini on Mar 22^nd, 2012 at 8:17am

It seems a reed to me. These ridges are very regular in distance; the fragility of that plant would be canceled by the gold covering.
Assuming that weapon has been used actively and it's not a ceremonial one (something I don't believe judging by the wearing on the grip).
Greetings,
Mauro.

Title: Re: Golden Atlatl
Post by Bill Skinner on Mar 22^nd, 2012 at 10:45am

Those rings look like bends where the wood flexed when someone threw a dart with it. Some are curved, some are straight, it seems to be a personal choice/style. It's upside down, the spur should be up.

Title: Re: Golden Atlatl
Post by Mauro Fiorentini on Mar 22^nd, 2012 at 7:17pm

Yes, it could help to see it in the right position! But your opinion is interesting indeed ;)
Maybe they bended the wood with steam?
Greetings,
Mauro.

Title: Re: Golden Atlatl
Post by Bill Skinner on Mar 23^rd, 2012 at 11:34am

If the thrower wanted it bent, it would be fairly easy to use heat or steam to put a bend in the shaft. I lean towards dry heat, you use steam to bend green or wet wood, those don't make good atlatls, you really need seasoned or dry wood for that. Also, green wood tends to crack or check as it dries, not something you would want to happen to your work if someone of high status is going to get it. Then again, it just could have warped from being stored improperly.

Title: Re: Golden Atlatl
Post by Mauro Fiorentini on Mar 23^rd, 2012 at 2:17pm

Yes, it's likely too! Thanks for the valuable information Bill!
Greetings,
Mauro.