https://tpwmagazine.com/archive/2025/mar/scout26_texcetera/
Four dart nock ends: These contain shallow cups that fit against the actual throwing device, an atlatl. These were all broken in the same place.
Straight flying boomerang: One of the oldest-known finds of these lethal weapons, this device is deadlier than its early name – rabbit stick – would imply.
Six stone-tipped foreshafts: These connect knapped stone points to atlatl dart main shafts and are easily replaced, making a modular and repairable weapon. Stone points are still embedded in two foreshafts, broken bases of points in others.
Four hardwood foreshafts: These long wooden tips might have been used for poison delivery.
Partial atlatl or spear-thrower: This was considered the oldest in North America until a slightly older (30 years) atlatl was found in Utah. Devin Pettigrew, CBBS assistant professor, has made replicas to test in the field to see how it might have been used for hunting and warfare.
Great additional information! I was thinking all the same as I zoomed in and looked at the collection. The only one I question is the poison delivery theory.
I’m thinking the hardwood foreshafts were also for smaller game like Rabbits. Since broad points are designed to slice a bigger wound in larger animals so that the prey bleeds out faster this would really not be needed for smaller game. Using a broad point would be like shooting a Rabbit with a 12 gauge slug, kind of overkill and more so an unnecessary risk of breaking a valuable point.
Me boomerang won't come back.