A recent study suggests that prehistoric women could have been as proficient hunters as their male counterparts, with the aid of a weapon known as an atlatl. This ancient tool, described as an “equalizer,” is believed to have empowered women to hunt effectively alongside men. The findings were reported by Yahoo! News on Monday.
The atlatl, functioning as a lever, was a cylindrical device with a slightly curved shaft, featuring a notch or cup at one end. A dart or javelin would be placed in the notch, enabling the thrower to enhance velocity and thrust when propelling the projectile.
The history of the atlatl dates back at least 17,000 years when Upper Paleolithic humans developed the technology. Notably, the Spanish Conquistadors documented the use of atlatls by Aztec communities in Mexico, highlighting its effectiveness in piercing metal armor with stone weapons. The earliest known atlatl examples were discovered in the Combe Sauniere caves in Southwest France. Its name stems from the Aztec word for “spearthrower.”
Michelle Bebber, an assistant professor in Kent State University’s department of anthropology, challenged the conventional view of prehistoric women as passive and exclusively men as hunters. Bebber stated, “Indeed, and perhaps most importantly, there seems to be a growing consensus among different fields – archaeology, ethnography and now modern experiments – that women were likely active and successful hunters of game, big and small.”
Bebber’s study involved 108 individuals, all novice javelin throwers, conducting a total of 2,160 throws. The results demonstrated that women quickly adapted to using the atlatl and were able to launch darts comparable distances to men with minimal exertion.
Interestingly, Bebber noted that males often struggled due to their attempts to rely on physical strength rather than mastering the technique. This insight led Bebber to the conclusion that the atlatl enabled a “more diverse array of people” to achieve equal performance levels, ultimately fostering gender-inclusive participation in hunting.
Moreover, the study indicates that the atlatl not only leveled the hunting field for women but may have also been invented by them. Bebber suggested that, given the significant benefits women derived from atlatl use, it’s plausible that they were the innovators behind this tool in some contexts.
As researchers continue to uncover new insights into the roles and capabilities of prehistoric societies, the study of ancient technologies like the atlatl sheds light on the complex dynamics of gender roles, innovation, and hunting practices that existed among our ancestors.
