One of the attractions of the Mexican open-air archaeological museum in Tula (Tula de Allende, Hidalgo State) are four stone sculptures 4.6 m high, composed of basalt blocks.
These monumental sculptures look at the country as silent guards hiding a deep secret. All dressed alike, all wearing amazing helmets. Maybe they are warriors? But on their chests they apparently have some kind of technical devices, and in their hands is a device, the meaning of which has not yet been explained. It is believed that this is an alien weapon unknown to us. Daniken was the first to see "extraterrestrial weapons" in Tollan sculptures. However, he was soon surpassed by the Mexican engineer Gerardo Levet, who suggested that this was not a weapon, but a tool for mining operations, something like a "flamethrower" or "plasma pistol", as well as Zacharia Stichin.
Who did these giant statues represent? The archaeologists who discovered them called these figures "idols", believing that they were images of the gods. So what are stone sculptures holding in their hands? Undoubtedly a weapon! But it is by no means cosmic. This is a spear thrower - a device for throwing a spear or darts, increasing the flight range, power and accuracy of the blow. Usually it was a wooden stick or plank (rectangular or xiphoid, 5 to 12 cm wide, 30 to 150 cm long) with a groove and a stop for the spear shaft.
In Mesoamerica, spear throwers with "rings" are widespread. In contrast to the simple one, where the grip occurs with the whole palm, in this case the grip is made with the fingers. Archaeologically for North America, spear throwers are attested, where a hole is drilled at the end of the bed, where fingers are inserted. In our case, two half rings or a bone object with two holes are attached to the stock on both sides, into which the index and middle fingers are inserted.
Promotional video:
For the first time atlatli appear in the iconography of Teotihuacan, where they look very peculiar. They have rings, but very often have feathers on both sides in the upper part. The functions of these feathers are unclear, perhaps a balancer. The emphasis on which the dart rests is sometimes drawn as a hook (see photo). In another photo example, it is clearly seen that although the atlatl is held below with the whole palm, for throwing it is held by the rings with two fingers.