Ingomar Mound Day to feature Atlatl competition, Native American history

Ingomar Mound Day will be October 31, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the historic site near Ingomar.

Events for the day include historic weapons demonstration, flint knapping demonstration, and an atlatl throw and competition, as well as object identification and mound tours. There will also be stations for learning about Native American games and crafts.

The First Annual IngomarAtlatl competition will begin at 11:30 and there will be awards given for age divisions, and Dr. Evan Peacock from Cobb Institute, Mississippi State University will be flint knapping again this year.

Dr. Evan Peacock from Cobb Institute, Mississippi State University will be flint knapping again this year.

The Atlatl is a spear thrower that was used during the era in which the Ingomar Mound site was constructed, about 2200 years ago.  In includes a throwing stick (the atlatl) and a appear or a shaft with a date on the end. Through the eons of prehistory, primitive peoples from all over the world developed this weapon for hunting for game animals The atlatl and the dart was one of the first true weapons system, consisting of both a projectile and a launching device.  Archaeologists tell us that the Woodland Period in which the Ingomar Mounds were built , the atlatl was used and the bow and arrow was later developed about 1500 to 200 years ago. .

While it is interesting to demonstrate, today there is a resurging interest in atlatls for sport and hunting. There is even a World Atlatl Association with national and international competitions.  The Ingomar Competition will begin at 11:30.  Age divisions include 9 and under, 10 – 15 and 16 – adult.

The event is free and is made possible by the museum’s Community Partners.

For more information call the museum at 662-538-0014.

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Jill Smith, Director

Union County Heritage Museum