Credit: Justin Garnett and Frederic Sellet/University of Kansas
Posted on 05/27/2023 2:54:08 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
When most researchers looked at a puzzling group of artifacts discovered at French archaeological sites, they presumed these to be ornaments or clothing. But Justin Garnett saw something else.
"They resembled finger loops like those used by some North and South American spearthrowers," said Garnett, a doctoral candidate in anthropology at the University of Kansas.
That observation led to his new article, "Exploring the Possible Function of Paleolithic Open Rings as Spearthrower Finger Loops." It examines open-ringed objects discovered in the late 19th century at Le Placard, Petit Cloup Barrat and Cave à Endives. His research hypothesizes that such rings (fabricated from antler) were finger loops used as part of prehistoric weapon systems...
These particular devices are distinctively shaped like the Greek letter omega, with pointed tabs on either end and an inner opening of approximately 2 centimeters. Since Garnett couldn't use any of the dozen actual items to test his theory, he built his own.
He reproduced the open rings in antler, bone and 3D-printed plastic. These were then hafted to speculatively reconstructed spearthrowers.
"I used the 3D ones to get larger sample sizes of specimens so I could test them for comfort. Like how does shape relate to comfort when you're using these things? But then for the actual experiment, I used elk antler since I was unable to get reindeer antler, which is the material that the originals were made out of," he said.
For testing purposes, he employed them to throw darts, which are similar to large arrows or javelins rather than traditional rigid spears.
(Excerpt) Read more at phys.org ...
Cool, looks like extra leverage.
"Do I know Alyssa Jones? ____ I know Alyssa Jones, I mean I KNOW Alyssa Jones! Know what I'm sayin'?"
Those are spear sights for aiming. This is where gun sights came from.
Interesting. Thanks.
That video is an example mansplaining, compared to the flares, chaf, and detours that occur during woo-mansplaining.
Those are high powered assault atlatls. Those aren’t finger rings those are barrel shrouds, you know, the shoulder thing that goes up.
Plus, they’ve got an unlimited magazine.
So, these are the Neolithic version of a ‘Bump Stock’?....................
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