EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE FLARED BARBED PRE-COLUMBIAN OBSIDIAN ATLATL SPEARHEAD * PC311

Product Description

This is a well-provenanced obsidian BIFACIAL ATLATL POINT from the Pre-Columbian West Mexico Shaft-Tomb Culture.  It is a LARGE AND WIDE (wider than most are long) flared barbed projectile point made of obsidian with large gas bubbles inside!  Evidence of use can be seen in the ancient re-sharpened tip that is still intact and terminating in a tiny needle projection.  This point is exceptionally large and thick, definitely intended to be used on a heavy shaft and thrown to long distances.  Its size would have been intended for human targets and the wide cutting edges would have inflicted a lethal wound.  This large atlatl spearhead has exceptional symmetry and an unbroken, complete robust tang.  RARELY are obsidian projectile points this symmetrical, and in this complete, undamaged state!!!  Out of a large collection of these projectile points from Dr. Heflin, this was high-graded out as one of the best!

This atlatl spearhead shows masterful knapping to yield its fine symmetry.  It was found in the Lake Sayula Region of Jalisco, Mexico.  This projectile point comes from the famous Dr. Allen Heflin Collection, formed from his work in Mexico from 1946 into the 1970's.  Obsidian projectile points from Pre-Columbian cultures are rarely preserved in this fine condition and seem to be scarcer than are realized. 

Intact mineral deposits in micro-crevices are a testament to its age and lack of any modern alterations.

No lithic type is more mesmerizing and flakes as beautifully as obsidian.  It was so highly prized by all the Central American Pre-Columbian cultures and for good reason.  The sharpest cutting edge of any substance in the world, can only be obtained with obsidian.  Obsidian is unique in that it can be flaked down to one molecule in width, hence the popularity with this incredible material in Pre-Columbian weapons and tools.  Even today, obsidian scalpels are still used in modern medicine throughout the world. 

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HISTORY

The Atlatl or Spear (Dart) Thrower was a weapon used to hurl darts called "tlacochtli" with greater force and from greater range than they could be thrown by hand. This weapon was considered by the Aztecs to be suited only for royalty and the most elite warriors in the army, and was usually depicted as being the weapon of the Gods.  Murals at Teotihuacan show warriors using this effective weapon and it is characteristic of the Mesoamerican cultures of central Mexico.  Warriors at the front lines of the army would carry the atlatl and about three to five throwing darts which they would launch after waves of arrows and sling projectiles as they advanced into battle before engaging into melee combat.  The "darts" launched from an Atlatl were more like big arrows about 5.9 feet long. Tipped with obsidian, chert, bone or copper heads.