Originally posted by KneverKnight
That would be "pre black powder"
For a cool ancient weapon, look here.
http://www.atlatl.com/
Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
Spear-thrower vs. boomerang--what odds?
call it a woomera ,
then consider:
woomera v boomerang,
and i can guarantee it has been tested millions of time by australians over the last few tens of thousands of years ....
http://www.answers.com/woomera&r=67
",The woomera could be used as a shield for protection against spears and boomerangs. Interestingly, some boomerangs were deliberately made with a hook at one end designed to catch onto the edge of a woomera or shield, which then caused the boomerang to swivel around and hit the enemy. The woomera was traditionally decorated with incised or painted designs which gave a good indication of the owner's tribal or clan group."