McKee Presents Tossing the Atlatl

On Saturday, August 19, Dave McKee, president of FPK/BTA and trained archaeologist, gave a talk and demonstrated the ancient, spear throwing weapon called an atlatl.

McKee talked about what an atlatl is saying it was a hunting weapon,

He said they would hunt bison, deer, elk, pronghorn. The Atlatl came along at the end of the ice age, the mammoths and giant buffalo were usually hunted with spears instead of the atlatl. He added that remnants of these were found throughout the west. Weights have been found at many sites as well.

Heather Pecht and her youngsters, Stetson, Landon, Liberty and Tennessee, enjoyed learning to throw the spears. Stetson spoke first, followed by Landon, Heather and Tennessee. Liberty decided not to comment.

John Jackson of Sheridan and his son, Elton, came to the event, and Jackson commented

The day was sunny and warm, but not hot, and around 30 people came out to enjoy the day.

McKee completed a 34-year career with the U.S. Forest Service as an archaeologist and tribal liaison on the Medicine Bow, Black Hills, and Bighorn National Forests. He received a master’s degree in anthropology with an emphasis in plains archaeology from the University of Wyoming.

The next Fort Phil Kearny event will be the Full Moon Fort, to be held on September 29 and 30 at the Fort.