This fearsome foursome crossed atlatls and made a vow to "bring home the wild-boar bacon!" Known to the other participants as "Charlie's Paleolithic Angels," these atl-athletes were ready to kick some Neandertal butt! (l-r Kate "Hurlin' " Herlihy, Kasey "There's another target!" Gallo, Laura "That mammoth's mine!" Daley, and Breanne "The Bomber" Buzzel.)

With some last minute instructions from the range master, University of Vermont Professor of Anthropology Jim Petersen, students anxiously line up for their chance to throw for the glory. (l-r Jim Petersen, Channing "Am I dressed appropriately?" Denton, Adam Boynton, Anthony "Kiwi Man" Purdy, Amanda Truhan and Jess Wilkinson.) Notice the keen air of concentration apparent on the face of the Kiwi Man. He has been practicing long and hard for this day and if victorious, has promised to perform his own rendition of the sacred Bull Dance.

With animal skin cape draped over his muscle-bound shoulders, Channing Denton takes careful aim as he prepares to launch the high tech aluminum shafted dart prepared by Skye Lee into the wild blue yonder.

GOT 'EM! It's hard to believe but before taking this class Sabrina Bateman had never touched an atlatl in her life. Suddenly, perhaps inspired by her recent reading of the book "Clan of the Cave Bear" for another assignment, Sabrina was transformed into a deadly Cro Magnon huntress. With amazing accuracy she picked off one paleo-game target after another. Rumor has it she will be petitioning the Vermont Legislature to add an Atlatl Season to its State Game Hunting Laws.
 

Known for their good sportsmanship, the Rutland High School Atlatl Team cheered on their team-mates. Ex-atl-athlete and future anthropologist/archaeologist Allyson Gee (sitting, second from right) came all the way from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts to view the competition. Mr. Peterson, trying to look like Indiana Jones, has the portable public address system for his role as emcee slung over his shoulder.

Skye Lee shows the winning form he used in the competition. He made two different darts, one of more traditional construction and the high-tech one he is using here. This dart was made by joining the aluminum shafts of two modern arrows. It was a little more expensive than making a dart from the ash-wood provided by Mr. Peterson but it would prove beneficial later on.

Hey!? Where'd Mr. Peterson's hat go?! Even Mr. Peterson had to admit that his hat looked better on Amanda Truhan than it did on him. But can she find her way out of the Temple of Doom? And how will she do fighting off all those snakes?

Another good hit! Kate Herlihy can just smell those mammoth steaks sizzling on her camp-fire. Forget about gathering - she's a hunter!