Amentum
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An amentum was a leather strap attached to a javelin used in ancient Greek athletics, hunting, and warfare, which helped to increase the range and the stability of the javelin in flight. Stability in
A Greek with an amentum in the right hand
Spear-thrower
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A spear-thrower, spear-throwing lever, or atlatl is a tool that uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in dart or javelin throwing, and includes a bearing surface that allows the user to store ener
Amentum
…accurately recorded in competition or be useful against a live target. An amentum also increased the effective length of the throwing arm similarly to a spear-thrower or Swiss arrow, which enhances the speed of the projectile. The javelin was held at ear level and released after a short run. The amentum was looped…
A silver Peruvian atlatl from the 12th–15th century
Atlatl in use
Bannerstone atlatl weight, c. 2000 BC. Archaic peoples; Ohio
Ceremonial spear thrower, Peru, 1–300 A.D., Lombards Museum