Archaeologica.org

This is going under the New World heading but it's as appropriate in the Old World as well.

http://www.armor.com/amentum.html

Balance the javelin on your palm, don't hold it. Use your thumb to keep it in place until you throw, but ***release the javelin before it moves!*** This is a key to straight flight and accurate hits.

Concentrate on your target, throw using only your fingertips and *** follow through by pointing your fingers at the target!*** Again, this is a key to accuracy.

Start the throw gently then be bold and ***put your power into the amentum early!*** The sooner the javelin is launched, the less opportunity you have to drag it off course.

http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/topic/ ... entum.html

A system that was banned for the Olympics, so you see, it's not new nor revolutionary.

Roy.

1) Nobody said it WAS new.

2) The ban is ironic, seeing as the only actual evidence of it in antiquity is illustrations of it in use AT the olympic games themselves.

I posted it relevant to spears vs. atlatls discussion.

Nobody said it WAS new.

Granted, I simply was pointing out that it was an old principle as you show under 2. The reason it was banned was to keep the distance down as Javelins were becoming dangerous to others during competition. Also banned was anything other than a straight run, for the same reason.

Roy.