Atlatl Workshop to offer hands-on look at ancient technology

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Nevadans for Cultural Preservation will host a free, hands-on Atlatl Workshop on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Caliente Depot Ballroom. The event will give participants a chance to explore prehistoric hunting technology while crafting and testing their own atlatl dart.

Atlatls, a spear-throwing tool used by cultures across the globe, date back thousands of years. Workshop participants will learn about the ingenuity and craftsmanship involved in their design, then try their hand at throwing darts at a mammoth target.

Jessica Hernandez
Members of the public enjoy the Ash Springs Cultural site featuring petroglyphs, some reflecting ancient hunting stories.

The workshop will include a flintknapping demonstration, hafting of a projectile point, fletching a dart, and target practice. Class size is limited, and organizers encourage early RSVPs to secure a spot.

“Learning about this hunting technology is an amazing way to explore the ingenuity and craftsmanship of people today and in the past,” said Rayette Martin, Executive Director of Nevadans for Cultural Preservation, who will host the event. The workshop ties into the cultural history of Lincoln County, where sites such as the Ash Springs petroglyphs and other nearby rock art panels reflect the stories and traditions of Indigenous peoples who once relied on tools like the atlatl for survival.

On Sept. 5, Martin led a guided tour of the Ash Springs cultural site with members of the Lincoln County Authority of Tourism and Lincoln County Excursions. During the visit, she highlighted significant findings, including petroglyphs carved into the rock, fragments of pottery and other traces of ancient life that tell the story of the people who once lived in the region. The tour offered participants a chance to connect with Lincoln County’s cultural past while learning about the importance of preserving these historic sites. 

Funding for the workshop is provided through a grant from the Lincoln County Archaeological Initiative.

For more information or to RSVP, visit vfcp.org/calendar, email contact@nvfcp.org, or call 702-466-3013.