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Slinging, The Oldest Evidence? (Read 2941 times)
Gemwise
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Slinging, The Oldest Evidence?
Sep 28th, 2020 at 10:32am
 
I am currently writing a historical or perhaps I should say, a prehistorical novel set in the Aurignacian Period in France.  40-23,000 years back. 

Slings are made of organic/perishable materials and as far as I know the closest thing that can be found from say 20,000 years ago to indicate even the existence of artifacts like woven cords are impressions in clay.  On the other hand, shaped missiles might be found though I know of no examples.

By the time modern humans entered Europe (45-50,000) years ago, our species had been around for perhaps 180,000 years.  Based on the sophistication of the cave paintings at Chauvet Cave, it seems to me that they were far more technologically advanced than can be proven from artifacts alone. 

I'd be appreciative of your comments. 

Richard  
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Sarosh
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Re: Slinging, The Oldest Evidence?
Reply #1 - Sep 28th, 2020 at 11:15am
 
probably before archery, or after any kind of cordage, knitting,weaving,braiding or leather work evidence.
So +65,000(65k-2m) years? there is no clear evidence that I know of.
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Bill Skinner
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Reply #2 - Sep 28th, 2020 at 5:51pm
 
I believe we had some French archies come on here asking questions about shaped chalk projectiles from around 35,000 years ago that were suspected sling stones.  They were on the edge of a prehistoric march or swamp that had silted in.

Consensus was probably sling stones used for hunting waterfowl of some type.
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Bill Skinner
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Re: Slinging, The Oldest Evidence?
Reply #3 - Sep 28th, 2020 at 6:23pm
 
There are a number of articles that have dates from the Bronze age to historic, but I wasn't able to find one that says anything with proof.  Like a cave drawing or something like that. 

Mauro had a professor that said the dots on some of the cave drawing represented stones hitting the animal and that the sling could be possible as much as 80K years old.  Problem is that it's a theory, others say those dots represent spear or dart  damage or hits.
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TOMBELAINE
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Re: Slinging, The Oldest Evidence?
Reply #4 - Sep 29th, 2020 at 1:43am
 
It's 3 500 years for shaped chalk projectiles. Not 35 000.
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TOMBELAINE
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Re: Slinging, The Oldest Evidence?
Reply #5 - Sep 29th, 2020 at 1:48am
 
https://www.inrap.fr/en/millennial-footprints-normandy-13107
The link in english.
During the paleolithic, the hunted animals are big. So, I don't believe that the sling is good for hunting. Just my idea.
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Re: Slinging, The Oldest Evidence?
Reply #6 - Sep 29th, 2020 at 6:13am
 
Birds are perfect targets for slinging though. They weren't just eating mammoth burgers.
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Re: Slinging, The Oldest Evidence?
Reply #7 - Sep 29th, 2020 at 7:18am
 
Agree with you  Smiley
But there is no archaeological evidence to my knowledge.
After, why not for a novel ; it's a choice.
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Gemwise
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Re: Slinging, The Oldest Evidence?
Reply #8 - Oct 1st, 2020 at 12:26pm
 
Thanks all!  The great thing about a novel is that historical accuracy is...optional!  However, trying my best.  As I mention in my introductory post, I am considering the possibility that "thong-throwing" as described in  Primitive Technology:  A Book of Earth Skills (1999) which sounds to me like a slightly more primitive form of slinging, might be the way to go.
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TOMBELAINE
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Re: Slinging, The Oldest Evidence?
Reply #9 - Oct 2nd, 2020 at 5:25am
 
We are glad to help you Smiley
And keep us posted.
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Re: Slinging, The Oldest Evidence?
Reply #10 - Oct 12th, 2020 at 4:20pm
 
Ripped straight from wikipedia, but:

The sling is believed to have been invented in the upper paleolithic probably around the same time as the atlatl.
The very oldest surviving sling is from 2500 bc in Peru.
The oldest from the old world was from around 1325, found in the tomb of Tutankhamon.
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Re: Slinging, The Oldest Evidence?
Reply #11 - Nov 8th, 2020 at 8:31am
 
The first picture of a slinger (that I know of) if from çatal Höyük, 7000 BC.
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Re: Slinging, The Oldest Evidence?
Reply #12 - Nov 17th, 2020 at 11:12am
 
That sounds very interesting.
Catal Höyük is a very interesting site.
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Re: Slinging, The Oldest Evidence?
Reply #13 - Nov 20th, 2020 at 11:51am
 
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« Last Edit: Jan 23rd, 2021 at 7:53am by a »  
 
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TOMBELAINE
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Re: Slinging, The Oldest Evidence?
Reply #14 - Nov 21st, 2020 at 5:39am
 
They made also big spheroïds.
All ideas are good.
I can say for example, that these spheroïds would be the symbol of the egg of the "great" bird, the mother of humanity. But for us, slingstones are cool.  Wink
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