atlatl (Spear Thrower)

Spear throwers are used to increase the velocity and distance of a projectile. They function as an extension of the user's arm. In use, the snake-human feature is upside down acting as a counter-weight, the spear lies in a groove on the opposite side, and the two finger grips used to propel a spear forward. Fladmark and colleagues suggest that this spear thrower could have been a functional weapon as it was made from yew wood which is known for its flexibility. However, they also note that it could have been a symbol of chiefly power and prestige rather than an operational weapon.

Radio carbon date is 1700 +/-100 B.P. (before present; 1950 used as "present" for age scale), or about 200 C.E., the late Marpole Culture (archaeological time period). The Skagit atlatl is an ancient and effective spear-throwing device that provides an intriguing glimpse into the technology, artistic power and spiritual beliefs of Salish people living in the early years of the first millennium. Made of yew, a hard yet flexible wood, the weapon survived 1,700 years buried in alluvium in the Skagit estuary until it was dredged from the silt by a seine fisher’s net in 1939 in the Lower Skagit between Townhead Island and Bald Head Island. It is believed that it hung in a fish shed, perhaps to dry slowly thus preventing some deterioration, until archaeologists became aware of it in the 1950’s. Its appearance and condition were slightly modified through "cleaning, buffing and the application of a preservative" which occurred prior to it being acquired by the Museum. Spear throwers are classified as male if they have a raised hook on the upper surface to engage the butt of the projectile and female if they are grooved on the upper surface to receive the projectile shaft. This spear thrower belongs to a third category, mixed, which exhibits the hook and groove of the other two categories. A replica of this atlatl, made by Lyle Wilson for the "Written in the Earth" exhibition, was tested and found to work very effectively as a spear thrower, demonstrating that the original was a powerful weapon that could have killed large game on land or sea. The replica was given to the Swinomish people at the end of the exhibition.

The zoomorphic figure on this spear thrower is thought to depict a sea monster with wolf-like features. A human face is present beneath the sea monster suggesting the transfer of supernatural power to a person or perhaps the ability of the sea monster to transform into a human-like figure. According to Margaret Holm’s 1990 analysis of Northwest Coast archaeological art, the Skagit atlatl exhibits the most elaborate and detailed design of any ancient object yet found in the region. Although the artistry appears at first glance to stand apart, Holm’s analysis of individual design elements shows connections to other carved art works from this time period across the region and affinity with characteristic elements in historic Salish art exemplified by spindle whorls. The most prominent feature of the atlatl is the magnificent and expressive feather-crested lightning snake that surmounts a human head and appears determined to propel itself forward in its task. Lightning snakes are associated with sea mammal hunting in Salish cosmology. Archaeologist R.G. Matson notes that Marpole era art is characterized by anthropomorphic heads, lightning snakes and engraved T and wedge-shaped forms (1995:206).

Intricately carved wooden spear thrower, or atlatl, with two finger holes at proximal end. A portion of the distal end is missing. The dorsal surface is incised with lines that function as a spear groove. Central form is a feather-crested lightning snake on a human figure, on the ventral surface as a weight. The figures have white inlaid eyes. The eye material appears to be bone, covered with a resin coating? The carved figure culminates in an unusual bifurcated tail. Inlaid eye is missing from right side of the human face.