Throwing stick: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Throwing weapon}} |
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{{More citations needed|date=February 2019}} |
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The '''throwing stick''' is one of the first [[weapon]]s used by early humans and cultures all around the world. In essence, it is a short stave or wooden club thrown as a projectile to hunt small game such as rabbits or waterfowl. In flight, it rotates rapidly cracking the target with one of the ends and either maiming or killing it. The difference between a throwing stick and a [[javelin]] is found in their shapes and lengths. A javelin is almost always a straight shaft with either a pointed tip or a spearhead attached to the front end. A throwing stick can be straight like a pointed wooden shaft or curved like the [[boomerang]]. Furthermore the throwing stick is a much shorter [[pole weapon]] than the javelin. However it became obsolete as [[Sling (weapon)|slings]] and [[Bow (weapon)|bows]] became more prevalent. |
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[[Image:Aboriginal craft.jpg|thumb|240px|Aboriginal craft: throwing sticks]] |
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[[Image:Maler der Grabkammer des Nacht 006.jpg|thumb|240px|Hunting birds with throwing sticks in ancient [[Egypt]]]] |
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The '''throwing stick''' or '''throwing club''' is a wooden rod with either a pointed tip or a spearhead attached to one end, intended for use as a weapon. A throwing stick can be either straight or roughly [[boomerang]]-shaped, and is much shorter than the [[javelin]]. It became obsolete as [[Sling (weapon)|slings]] and [[Bow (weapon)|bows]] became more prevalent, except on the [[Australia|Australian continent]], where the [[Indigenous Australians|native people]] continued refining the basic design. Throwing sticks shaped like returning boomerangs are designed to fly straight to a target at long ranges, their surfaces acting as [[airfoil]]s. When tuned correctly they do not exhibit curved flight, but rather they fly on an extended straight flight path. Straight flight ranges greater than {{convert|100|m|abbr=on}} have been reported by historical sources as well as in recent research. |
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== Distribution == |
== Distribution == |
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[[File:MNH - Mencey-Stab.jpg|thumb|upright|Throwing baton of a [[Guanches|Guanche]] mencey (king)]] |
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The throwing stick is a simple tool used in hunting small game and waterfowl. In particular, the [[Egyptians]] used throwing sticks to hunt ducks as seen in several wall paintings. [[Tutankhamun]] was a known lover of duck hunting and used the throwing stick in his numerous hunts. The [[Indigenous Australians|Aborigines]] of [[Australia]] used the [[boomerang]]. Although returning boomerangs are found in many cultures and will return to the user if thrown properly, the choice weapon of most cultures was the heavy non-returning boomerang that could also be wielded as a club or knife for attacking close by [[kangaroo]], [[wallaby]], and [[emu]] by using it as a stabbing weapon. |
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The [[ancient Egypt]]ians used throwing sticks to hunt small game and waterfowl, as seen in several wall paintings. The [[Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt|18th-dynasty]] [[pharaoh]] [[Tutankhamun]] was a known lover of duck hunting and used the throwing stick in his hunts, and a number of throwing sticks were found in the tombs of pharaohs. Menceys, the kings of the ancient [[Guanches]] of the [[Canary Islands]], also used throwing batons. [[Gimel]], the third letter of many Semitic alphabets, may have been named after a weapon that was either a staff sling or a throwing stick, ultimately deriving from a Proto-Sinaitic glyph based on an [[Throw stick (hieroglyph)|Egyptian hieroglyph]]. |
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The [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal peoples]] of Australia are well-known for their use of the boomerang. Although returning boomerangs are found in many Aboriginal cultures and will return to the user if thrown properly, the choice weapon of the Indigenous Australian peoples and most cultures was the heavy throwing stick, known internationally as the kylie.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}} It was primarily used to kill [[Kangaroo|kangaroos]], [[Wallaby|wallabies]], and [[Emu|emus]] from afar, though it could also be swung like a club. |
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Other titles for the throwing stick are: rabbit stick, throwing club, killer stick, baton, boomerang, and kylie. The throwing stick can also be used as a weapon to be utilized in human combat, though the heavy non-return boomerang was the only one truly effective in this use. |
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| ⚫ | Some Native American tribes such as the [[Hopi]], as well as all southern California tribes,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kumeyaay.info/california_indian_artists/gerardo_aldama_jr/|title=GERARDO ALDAMA JR KUMEYAAY California Indian Rabbit Sticks|website=www.kumeyaay.info}}</ref> utilized the throwing stick to hunt [[Rabbit|rabbits]] and occasionally [[deer]]. |
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| ⚫ | As a survival tool, the throwing stick is one of the most effective and easiest tools to obtain. |
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The throwing stick was also one of the first weapons used by European stone age people to hunt. |
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Stone carvings in [[Brittany]], [[France]] have been found depicting throwing sticks. |
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Though originally designed for hunting and survival, the throwing stick can be used as a weapon in human conflicts, though the heavy non-returning boomerang was the only variant ever to become truly effective against a human opponent.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}} |
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In the American Southwest, some throwing sticks have been found to have a propeller twist to them.{{Fact|date=March 2007}} |
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| ⚫ | As a survival tool, the throwing stick is one of the most effective and easiest tools to obtain. It can be used as a digging tool for making fire-pits and underground shelters in addition to its function as a weapon. A curved branch will suffice as a basic throwing stick. Ancient throwing sticks were made of hardwood with a weighted or curved end to one side to impart momentum so the stick stays straight and does not wobble in mid-flight. |
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Return boomerangs have a flat convex surface that must be thrown at a 45 degree angle with a sharp flick of the wrist. The Egyptians described it as "-returning to the feet of the thrower and be ready at hand for the next flight of ducks." |
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The heavy Knife Boomerang could be made into a close-range hunting tool by plunging its sharp edge into the underbelly of emu, kangaroo, and wallaby. |
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Return boomerangs have a flat convex surface and must be thrown about 10-15 degrees from upright with a sharp flick of the wrist, but throwing sticks are thrown horizontally. |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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* [[ |
* [[Spear-thrower]] – also called a throwing stick |
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* [[Woomera (spear-thrower)]] – Aboriginal variant of the spear-thrower |
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* [[Schöningen spears]] - Stone Age weapons |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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{{Prehistoric technology|state=expanded}} |
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[[Category:Throwing clubs]] |
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[[Category:Ancient weapons]] |
[[Category:Ancient weapons]] |
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[[Category:Medieval weapons]] |
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[[Category:Stick and staff weapons]] |
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Latest revision as of 06:02, 9 August 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2019) |
The throwing stick or throwing club is a wooden rod with either a pointed tip or a spearhead attached to one end, intended for use as a weapon. A throwing stick can be either straight or roughly boomerang-shaped, and is much shorter than the javelin. It became obsolete as slings and bows became more prevalent, except on the Australian continent, where the native people continued refining the basic design. Throwing sticks shaped like returning boomerangs are designed to fly straight to a target at long ranges, their surfaces acting as airfoils. When tuned correctly they do not exhibit curved flight, but rather they fly on an extended straight flight path. Straight flight ranges greater than 100 m (330 ft) have been reported by historical sources as well as in recent research.
Distribution
[edit]
The ancient Egyptians used throwing sticks to hunt small game and waterfowl, as seen in several wall paintings. The 18th-dynasty pharaoh Tutankhamun was a known lover of duck hunting and used the throwing stick in his hunts, and a number of throwing sticks were found in the tombs of pharaohs. Menceys, the kings of the ancient Guanches of the Canary Islands, also used throwing batons. Gimel, the third letter of many Semitic alphabets, may have been named after a weapon that was either a staff sling or a throwing stick, ultimately deriving from a Proto-Sinaitic glyph based on an Egyptian hieroglyph.
The Aboriginal peoples of Australia are well-known for their use of the boomerang. Although returning boomerangs are found in many Aboriginal cultures and will return to the user if thrown properly, the choice weapon of the Indigenous Australian peoples and most cultures was the heavy throwing stick, known internationally as the kylie.[citation needed] It was primarily used to kill kangaroos, wallabies, and emus from afar, though it could also be swung like a club.
Some Native American tribes such as the Hopi, as well as all southern California tribes,[1] utilized the throwing stick to hunt rabbits and occasionally deer.
The throwing stick was also one of the first weapons used by European stone age people to hunt. Stone carvings in Brittany, France have been found depicting throwing sticks.
Though originally designed for hunting and survival, the throwing stick can be used as a weapon in human conflicts, though the heavy non-returning boomerang was the only variant ever to become truly effective against a human opponent.[citation needed]
Survival tool
[edit]As a survival tool, the throwing stick is one of the most effective and easiest tools to obtain. It can be used as a digging tool for making fire-pits and underground shelters in addition to its function as a weapon. A curved branch will suffice as a basic throwing stick. Ancient throwing sticks were made of hardwood with a weighted or curved end to one side to impart momentum so the stick stays straight and does not wobble in mid-flight.
Variations
[edit]Some variations of the throwing stick are 2 to 3 ft (61 to 91 cm) long pieces of thick hardwood, usually about the circumference of the user's wrist. They are intended to be thrown with spin, creating the image of a blurry disc.
Pommel point throwing sticks are noted for their slightly blunt points that can crush skulls if thrown at sufficient speed. Thus, they are also dubbed the "skull crusher" throwing stick.
Return boomerangs have a flat convex surface and must be thrown about 10-15 degrees from upright with a sharp flick of the wrist, but throwing sticks are thrown horizontally.
See also
[edit]- Spear-thrower – also called a throwing stick
- Woomera (spear-thrower) – Aboriginal variant of the spear-thrower
- Schöningen spears - Stone Age weapons
References
[edit]- ^ "GERARDO ALDAMA JR KUMEYAAY California Indian Rabbit Sticks". www.kumeyaay.info.