Quote:I would hazard a very uneducated guess that the sling has a far more complex set of issues effecting accuracy than does the atlatl. String length, pouch dimensions, overall flexability of materials; weight, size & consistency, integrity & uniformity of projectiles; I'm sure that we could go on ad infinitum without even considering user experience, accuracy and personal dimensions or technique.
i would tend to disagree. an atlatl is a very complex machine, with the components - dart, thrower, counter-weight and tip in a very precise relationship. the thrower is really a machine operator. atlatl dart heads have been found over a huge geographical area with a very small differential in weight. this suggests that the atlatl is a precision instrument which depends on ideal components to make it work. the dart must flex in a precise way as the throw progresses, and is a spring which depends on it's weight, length, springiness, the momentum of the tip etc etc - the throwing component was skilfully balanced with a counter-weight. there are other refinements, but as we know, the atlatl is much more of a technological achievement than it looks.
the sling, however, depends for accuracy on the brain of the thrower. any difference from one sling to the next is quickly dialled-out, and compensated for by the brain of the thrower. i would say that any accomplished slinger could get results with any sling. two cords and a pouch are two cords and a pouch.
i would be surprised if, supposing we could all swap slings, we found ourselves incapable of hitting anything (or noticeably less capable than usual!)
SV