The Atlatl: A Spear Thrower That Defies Gender Roles?
Key Points:
- A recent study shows that the atlatl, a prehistoric spear-throwing tool, can serve as an “equalizer” among hunters.
- Traditionally, it was believed that men were the primary hunters while women took on more passive roles.
- Researchers found that women can achieve the same accuracy and distance as men when using the atlatl.
- This discovery supports the idea that women may have played an active role in prehistoric hunting, challenging previous gender roles assumptions.
Hot take:
Who said spear-throwing is just a man’s game? This study proves that women in prehistoric times could have been fierce hunters too, rocking the atlatl with just as much accuracy and distance as their male counterparts. So, forget about traditional gender roles – women had the skill and tools to bring home the bacon, or should we say, the mammoth!
Original article: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/08/230818135146.htm