https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384435067_The_gravity_of_Paleolithic_hunting

Don't know that it's quite a meme, but it was recommended I crosspost it here!

all 29 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] 63 points 2 years ago (1 child)

That poor bastard yak (or whatever) wandered into the wrong canyon that day.

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 49 points 2 years ago (3 children)

    Where is Saddam Hussein? Is he safe? Is he alright?

  • source
  • hideshow 6 child comments
  • [–] 35 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    As an atlatl expert (I watched several YouTube videos) they have an upward launch trajectory and seem to be ideal for longer-ranged flat ground engagement. This would suggest more utility for forest and open plains hunting where terrain advantage does not exist.

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 9 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    The loss of accuracy and more cumbersome handling seems to outweigh the increase in power?

    Seems like I would just want to carry 2 spears, throw one after the other?

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 4 child comments
  • [–] [S] 26 points 2 years ago* (1 child)

    The atlatl darts used in this research were much lighter than the spears, as is usual for atlatl darts. So you can carry more of them. Also, atlatl darts are faster and more accurate - the difference demonstrated here is of energy on impact, which is more important when hunting big game - and of relative differences in performance when elevated vs. even ground.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 16 points 2 years ago

    As I understand it, the atlatl enabled much more efficient and powerful throwing without much loss of accuracy. A brief search for figures says it can hit a grapefruit at 40m range

    "For an experienced atlatl thrower, the mechanical advantage of the atlatl over throwing with the arm alone is about 6:1. Thus, if you can throw a dart 15 meters with your arm alone, you could throw it about 91 meters with the atlatl."

  • source
  • parent
  • think you meant 196

  • source
  • [+] 10 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)
    [–] 8 points 2 years ago

    This is the lab behind the poop knife. They are absolutely experts in this kind of thing.

    I need to read the whole paper, but I suspect the weight/wind resistance ratio of the javelin is better, and that the motion of launching an atlatl dart is affected by the downward angle. The railing on the scissor lift likely has an effect, too.

  • source
  • [–] 7 points 2 years ago*

    I think you've found the perfect place.

  • source
  • [–] 7 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    Is Eren a man's name or a woman's?

  • source
  • hideshow 4 child comments
  • [–] 3 points 2 years ago (3 children)

    Eren and Erin are scum, dirty names that should be scrubbed from the history books, not the people, just the name.

    Right along with Arron and Aron, they are also fake names and should be deleted.

    Full disclosure, my name might be Aaron

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 6 child comments
  • [–] 3 points 2 years ago

    This post is awesome!

  • source
  • [+] 1 point 2 years ago (1 child)
  • [–] [S] 9 points 2 years ago* (3 children)

    Eren and Kim are both men, I believe.

    Though, separately, yes, I believe that atl-atls have less gender variation than thrown spears.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 6 child comments