Throwing Board
(Central Yup’ik) nuqaq “throwing board; atlatl”, (Qawiaraq Iñupiaq) nauliġaun “spear thrower”
46 cm long x 2-5.6 cm x 1.2 cm thick
Wood, ivory inlay
Alaska (exact location unknown) (Yup’ik or Iñupiaq), c. unknown
Collector: E. W. Nelson
Museum ID: NEL.C1.ar.0481
Wooden throwing boards are used to cast small, lightweight spears while hunting waterfowl and seals. The projectile is laid in the groove on the top of the stick with its end resting against the ivory pin at the outer end, allowing the hunter to throw with greater speed; experienced hunters would be able to launch spears up to 50 yards with extreme accuracy. Throwing boards are also individualized, made to be precisely the length from the user’s elbow to the tip of their forefinger.