Slings & Thrown Weapons

Ranged Weapons — Subcategory

Overview

Before the bow, before the crossbow, and before firearms, humans threw things — rocks, darts, and bladed weapons — to kill at a distance. This category covers the oldest human ranged weapons and the specialized tools developed to extend throwing range and power. While technologically simpler than the bow, the best-trained slingers and atlatl hunters could be astonishingly effective.

The Atlatl (Spear-Thrower)

The atlatl is a tool that extends the effective arm length, dramatically increasing the force and range of a thrown spear:

• A rigid stick 30–75 cm long with a hook or cup at one end
• The spear (dart) rests in the cup; the atlatl acts as a lever extension of the arm
• Effective range: 40–100 meters; some estimates higher
• Dominant human ranged weapon from roughly 30,000 BCE until the bow displaced it
• Still used by Aboriginal Australians (woomera) and recreationally in modern atlatl sport

The Sling

The sling is a woven or leather pouch on two cords, used to whirl a stone and release it at speed:

• A trained slinger could achieve projectile velocities of 100+ km/h
• Effective range: 200–400 meters for skilled slingers
• Ammunition: river stones or purpose-made lead sling bullets (glandes)
• Lead glandes — Cast lead bullets, often inscribed with curses or the name of the unit; shaped like a lemon; stable in flight; heavy enough to injure through light armor

Ancient Slingers

• Balearic slingers — The most feared slingers of antiquity; from the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca); hired as mercenaries across the Mediterranean; reportedly practiced from childhood, required to sling for their food
• Roman use — Roman armies used auxiliary slingers (often Balearic) to complement archers
• Greek use — Both sides at Syracuse (415–413 BCE) used slingers; Xenophon's Anabasis records the effectiveness of Persian slingers against Greek archers

Thrown Weapons

Javelin

A javelin is a lightweight spear designed for throwing:

• Shorter and lighter than a thrusting spear; balance point more forward
• Roman pilum — The definitive military javelin; heavy iron shank that bent on impact; see Spears & Lances
• Greek akontism — Throwing the javelin with a leather throwing strap (ankyle) to impart spin and range

Throwing Axes

• Francisca — Frankish throwing axe (5th–7th century); heavy recurved axe head on a short handle; thrown in a rotation to strike at leg level or face; could also be used in hand
• Tomahawk — Native American; thrown and hand-use; adopted by European colonists
• Chinese flying claw — Weighted iron claw on a rope; thrown to ensnare and pull

Shuriken (Throwing Stars)

• Japanese small thrown weapons; flat metal plates in star shapes or straight rods (bō shuriken)
• Used for distraction and harassment rather than killing
• Associated with ninja; actually used by samurai as supplementary weapons

Bola

• Multiple weighted balls on cords; thrown to tangle legs of animals or humans
• Widespread across indigenous cultures from Patagonia to the Great Plains

This article is a stub. Contributions covering specific thrown weapons, cultures, and techniques are welcome.