Atlatl

Timeline

1. 1371–1374Tenochtitlan armament workshops · TenochtitlanMexica atlatls were typically hard wood or bone shafts about half an arm's length, with a hook-shaped notch or tenon at one end to grip the javelin's tail and a grip or weight at the other. Craftsmen made them to fit the warrior's arm length, and some nobles used atlatls adorned with jade or lacquer painting to display status.
2. 1375–1378Frontiers of Valley of Mexico city-states · Valley of MexicoIn the 1370s, Mexica warriors campaigning in the valley under the Tepanec overlord placed javelin throwers in front of infantry for volleys, suppressing the enemy with dense javelins before close assault by wielders of obsidian-studded wooden swords. Atlatls were especially effective on open lakeshores and causeway battlefields.
3. 1377–1380Tenochtitlan youth warrior schools (calmecac and telpochcalli) · TenochtitlanYoung warriors practiced atlatl throwing from adolescence in military schools, honing accuracy and arm strength by hunting waterfowl and small game. Atlatl skill was a core assessment for warrior promotion and capturing prisoners, closely tied to religious sacrifice culture.