Courtesy Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield, MA

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Atlatl

Atlatls similar to this one served as weights attached to the middle of spears to increase their accuracy. This is most likely an unfinished example. Men were the primary hunters and fishers among Northeastern Native American groups. One use of atlatls was to aid in spear fishing. An annual spring activity was netting and spearing shad, salmon, and other fish as they migrated upriver to spawn. This was also time for groups to gather to trade, visit, and participate in ceremonies. In the Pocumtuck homeland, the confluence of the Deerfield and Green rivers in present day Greenfield was such a gathering place.

Date:  
Topic: Military 
Materials: Stone
Dimensions: currently unavailable 
Accession #: 1985.0224


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