Lot 202D
Pre-Columbian, South America, Peru, Moche, ca. 100 to 700 CE. Preserved ancient wood is extremely scarce and COMPLETE weapons that were made of wood, even more rare. This spectacular example is of reduced size so was likely used by a youth. Use wear is evident on the handle portion indicating this was not simply a votive burial piece. The wooden shaft is complete and unbroken. A copper hook and copper figural deer with phallus deity handle are attached to the shaft by copper rivet that protrudes the opposite side. While organic materials such as wood rarely survives from ancient times, many of the portions of western South America that were occupied by Pre-Columbian cultures, rank as the driest regions on our planet. This is how objects such as ancient wood and fibers have survived, as well as intact mummies of those buried long ago. Size: 13.25" L (33.7 cm)
Objects like this atlatl spear thrower were strictly reserved for only the wealthiest elites of society. While the Moche are famous for their ceramics, it is their metal craft that is increasingly of interest as the skill required to create these objects is perhaps some of the finest the world has ever known. Many of the ancient Moche techniques are still difficult today for modern metalsmiths to duplicate!
The atlatl or spear (dart) thrower, was a weapon used to hurl darts with greater force and from greater range than they could be thrown by hand. The "darts" launched from an atlatl were more like big arrows about 5.9 feet long, and tipped with obsidian, chert, bone or copper projectile points. The South American Pre-Columbian atlatl had a wooden body with a hook that was made of stone or metal. The length of a common atlatl was about 50 cm. Atlatl handles were commonly carved and modeled to represent both, real world animals and deities. The atlatl was used both, in hunting and warfare.
#177954
- Condition: Intact. No repairs or restoration, 100% as found. With copper hook and figural handle still attached to the original wood shaft. Ancient deposits / encrustations, as shown. Use wear is evident on the handle portion indicating this was not simply a votive burial piece. Where these copper parts meet the wood, you can see ancient sediment deposits in the tiny crevices of the joints. The copper has ancient deposits on all surfaces, as well. Microscopic examination of the micro-crevices of the wood also show deeply impacted ancient deposits - something impossible to replicate if the wood was a modern copy.
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