FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: John Whittaker, associate professor of anthropology, 641-269-3447, or Dann Hayes, director of media relations, 641-269-4834 April 13, 2001 "Raging Cow" Atlatl Competition to be held at Grinnell College GRINNELL, Iowa - Basically, you take a short stick with a hook, attach a spear, and you have created what early man developed to survive-the atlatl (pronounced At L, At L or At-LATL). The development of the technique gave mankind a distinct advantage in its struggle to survive with mastadons, saber tooth cats, and other species intent on living-it allowed the spear to be thrown much further and harder. At Grinnell College, John Whittaker, associate professor of anthropology, along with a number of his students, has taken the study of the atlatl a step further. On April 28-29, the town of Grinnell in central Iowa and the Grinnell Atlatl Club, known on campus as the "World's First Collegiate Atlatl Team," will host the "The First Annual Raging Cow Atlatl Competition." The event will be held at the Grinnell College track on the north side of campus. Registration and events will start at 9:30 a.m. "I use atlatls to teach my students about prehistoric technology," Whittaker said. "It is easy enough to make and experience, but complex enough that you soon respect ancient skill and knowledge." "Since 1997, the Grinnell College atlatl team has competed each September at Cahokia Mounds State Park near St. Louis, Mo.," Whittaker said. "It is a pretty non-competitive competition, with people with all sorts of interests and primitive technology skills taking part." According to Whittaker, the only "serious" event is the International Standard Accuracy Competition, which is recorded by the World Atlatl Association, which collects scores from events all over the U.S. and Europe. "I had the 10th highest score last year," he said, "and one of my students was the top woman in 1997." Luther College, Decorah, IA.(contact: Colin Betts, anthropology), will bring a "formal" team, while students from other Iowa and regional schools have indicated they will attend. Historically, Whittaker said, atlatls are the predecessor to bows and arrows, and were used by Aztecs, Australians, and Eskimos to hunt and in warfare. - 30 -