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Fig. 6.
Aztec atlatl. (Courtesy of the Museo Nacional de Antropologia, Mexico) |
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with greater force and for longer distances than spears could be hand thrown (see figs. 68). By one account the god Opochtli created the atlatl,
2 while another credits the Aztecs with inventing it during their early years in the basin of Mexico.3 But actually the weapon greatly predates the Aztecs and is depicted in murals at Teotihuacan4 and at the classic site of El Tajin,5 and atlatls have been recovered archaeologically from the classic period.6 More than any other Meso-american weapon, the atlatl was associated with the gods, who are often depicted carrying it.7 Many of these spear-throwers were ornately and artistically crafted, such as the one with a turquoise head in the shape of a serpent that Moteuczomah Xocoyotl sent to Cortés.8 |
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The few examples extant are finely carved specimens depicting human figures and symbols in low relief.9 One is also covered with gold. These elaborately decorated examples were probably used only on ritual or ceremonial occasions. The existing examples of the atlatl are approximately 0.6 meters (2 feet) in length and 3537 millimeters (1.5 inches) in width at the upper end, tapering to 1925 millimeters (0.71 inch) at the lower. They have a hook at the upper end against which the dart is placed, and a 510-millimeter (0.20.4-inch) groove for its bed. Another specimen has two grooves, suggesting that it was intended for throwing two darts simultaneously. Finger grips were provided by loops attached to the sides of the atlatl, holes in the device, or pegs extending from the sides, and they were |
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