Prelude #62
 
Theme: Hexagram:
  F major    Hsiao "tiny weakness or mistake"

Javelins are single-ended spears designed to be thrown. The primary task is to get the spear point to the target in an effective orientation in order to maximize penetration damage. Accordingly the shaft was not required to withstand blows from another weapon and was only needed for balance and leverage.
An atlatl is a wood or bone extension of the throwing arm that increases
tyhe range and lethality of a javelin. The atlatl seems to have been invented in Europe about 30,000 years ago and to have reached Alaska about 15,000 years ago. It seems unlikely that such a useful tool would not have made its way into China, but there isn't any evidence that I know of, and Paleolithic Chinese may not have been interested in hunting megafauna.   
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