Split Ash Dart Shaft from Logs Using Stone, Antler and Wooden Tools

Split Ash Dart Shaft From Logs Using Stone, Antler and Wooden Tools

The following pictures show a progression from ash log to dart shafts in a project I did with students from Mercyhurst College in North East Pennsylvania. This method may yield 20 to 50 shafts from a small log about 6 inches in diameter. Ash is my favored dart material for hunting and fishing. This experiment was done with stone, antler and wooden tools to show that Native Americans had the technology to make dart shafts easily from trees. It took 2 hours to get to the point where we stopped because of darkness, but we had made several darts. I think two people working together could make a year’s supply of hunting darts in a few days using this method. If the shafts were stored in a lodge where they were dry and exposed to smoke they would become nicely seasoned in a matter of weeks. Fire hardening makes them ready for use immediately.
These are not exactly in order but I think you can see how it was done.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/
thunderbirdatlatl/choppinglowwithstoneax.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/
thunderbirdatlatl/toolset.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/
thunderbirdatlatl/startingthewedge.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/
thunderbirdatlatl/startingthewedge2.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/
thunderbirdatlatl/Jam381.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/
thunderbirdatlatl/Jam380.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/
thunderbirdatlatl/Jam379.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/
thunderbirdatlatl/Jam378.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/
thunderbirdatlatl/Jam377.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/
thunderbirdatlatl/Jam374.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/
thunderbirdatlatl/Jam373.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/
thunderbirdatlatl/Jam371.jpg