The ancient Mexican Atlatl

The atlatl, is a weapon that was used throughout the Mesoamerican territory. However, its design, materials and decoration differs between its different cultures and different eras. Not equal to the Purepecha atlatl from the post-Classic to a Maya atlatl from the Teotihuacan classic. One of the last designs of spear throwers, was undoubtedly the Nawa (Nahua) of the basin of Mexico. This design is characterized by the use of a crosspiece or crossbar with which you can grip with your fingers. This type of spear throw, appears in codices, like the Boturini or the Florentine, where it can be seen that it was the type of atlatl with which the Mexikah confronted the conquerors. Archeologically, this type of spearmen appears as miniature in the offerings of the main temple, characteristically painted Maya blue, which symbolically links it to turquoise, fire and probably to the Xiuhkoatl symbolic weapon of the deity Wuitzilopochtli (Huitzilopochtli), which in some codices appears represented as an atlatl.

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