Date:
4/11/2003
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 505.562.2253
Reporter: Robin Kirk Gillispie
PORTALES – Eastern New Mexico University's Department of Anthropology and Applied Archaeology and the Mu Alpha Nu Anthropology Club are sponsoring an atlatl competition, the Blackwater Draw Atlatl Throw. The competition will include a WAA (World Atlatl Association) Target Round and an ISAC (International Standard Accuracy Contest).
It will be held on Saturday, April 26, at the Blackwater Draw Museum, US Highway 70, seven miles northeast of Portales, near Greyhound Football Stadium. Registration and practice will start at 9 a.m., with the Target Round beginning at 10 a.m.. The ISAC round will take place in the afternoon.
There will be categories for men, women, and children. Don't worry if you haven't done it before. It's the process, not the prize. Bring atlatls and darts if you have them. There will be some available for loan and sharing if you don't. This competition is not restricted to primitive technology. Atlatls may be made of traditional or modern materials.
Some refreshments will be available for sale. Otherwise, bring a lunch, or plan on a trip into Portales for food. There are restrooms on site.
For those competitors and interested parties who stay over until Sunday, there will be a tour of Blackwater Draw Locality 1 (the Clovis Type Site) on Sunday morning.
For more information, contact David C. Batten, Department of Anthropology and Applied Archaeology, Station 3, Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM 88130. Phone 505.562.2750; e-mail david.batten@enmu.edu.