The big-game hunting lifestyle that Native Americans practiced for hundreds of years came alive this weekend for eight Andover students as they participated in atlatl throwing contests and demonstrations. Sponsored by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology, a select group of Andover students attended the Third Annual Massachusetts Atlatl Field Day & International Standard Accuracy Contest last Sunday in Danvers, MA. Elizabeth Ryznar ’06 and Max Parsons ’06 competed against students from other schools to see who could throw the atatl the farthest and with the best accuracy. An atlatl is a small wooden device created by the Native Americans that acts as a pivotal point in the throwing motion, increasing speed, distance, and accuracy in the spear. This tool long predates the bow and arrow, dating back 10,000 to 20,000 years. The competition was held in two formats, both involving a bull’s-eye target with different point values. In one contest, the judges totaled the scores of five throws from 15 yards and five throws from 20 yards; in the other, they totaled the best score from 15 yards and from 20 yards. While Native Americans utilized the power of this spear to hunt woolly mammoths and giant sloths, the atlatl is now used in sport by archaeology buffs and accuracy competitors. “Everyone was friendly,” said Ryznar. “Not many people have used an atlatl, so it’s a cool connection to find.” The remaining six PA students did not compete in an organized competition, but they participated in recreational atlatl throwing and other activities. “It was an interesting atmosphere. There were stands selling custom atlatls and other Native American weaponry,” said Andrew Glasrud ’06, who worked at the Peabody as a Lower and competed in the recreational events this weekend. The competition had a turnout of 150-200 people from all across Massachusetts. “There was a wide pool of people,” said Glasrud. “There were the older people who were really into it and had their own custom atlatls and then there were the younger kids like us having a good time.” Donald Slater, Assistant Collections Manager and Work Duty Supervisor at the Peabody, organized the event. Students performing Work Duty at the museum are treated once a term to an atlatl lesson behind the museum, but the Atatl Field Day event is usually open to the rest of PA Community. The Rebecca Nurse Homestead, which hosted the tournament for the third year in a row, is also a historic site. Rebecca Nurse was found guilty of witchcraft and hanged in 1692. Her son stole her body before it could be burned and buried her in an unmarked grave in a nearby cemetery. The house, built in 1637, has three restored rooms upstairs which are maintained as a museum. The property, which includes 27 acres of fields and woodlands, has been used as a set for period movies and television shows including Young Goodman Brown, Three Sovereigns for Sarah, and Alistair Cooke’s America.
