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3rd Annual Archeolympics at Seminole Canyon State Park
Sunday, January 17, 2010
3rd ANNUAL ARCHEOLYMPICS Date: February 6, 2010 from 10:00 am-4:00 pm ANNOUNCEMENTThe Archeolympics primitive skills competition is open to all and focused on having fun and learningabout ancient life ways. Prizes or certificates will be awarded according to placement in events. in most atlatls, darts (throwing spears for the atlatl), and rabbit sticks will be provided for use by competitors who do not bring their own equipment. Visitors of all ages who do not wish to compete are invited to come out and enjoy educational programs. Learn about and use the atlatl spear thrower and boomerang-like rabbit stick on a practice range, and cheer on the competitors. See how fire was made the old fashioned way using friction and native plants and trees, and tour Fate Bell Shelter at 10am and then again at 3pm, to see 4000 year old rock art depicting figures carrying atlatls. Individual competitors will throw for accuracy using the primitive atlatl spear thrower. Hit targets representing small game in the rabbit-stick competition. See who will be the fastest to make a fire in the friction fire-starting race! Teams (perfect for scout troops and university anthropology clubs) can compete for atlatl accuracy. The 1st Place Prize will be a replica Ensor Point and Certificate. The 2nd Place and 3rd Place Prize will be a Certificate. REGISTRATION AND FEESAll park visitors (including Archeolympics competitors) must pay the park entry fee of $3.00 per person at the park office upon arrival. Competitors must show their entrance fee receipt at the competition registration table when checking in. INDIVIDUAL EVENTSIndividual Atlatl Accuracy (Regardless of Age)2 CATERGORIES; Skilled and AmateurSkilled: a life size, 3-D antlered deer will be used for accuracy. Each contestant will throw three darts at a distance of 50 feet. Scoring will be as follows:Touches outer area of target=1pt; touches head and throat area =2pts; sticks in kill zone heart=3pts. For a maximum of 9 points. Amateur: a square foam archery target will be used for accuracy. Each contestant will throw three darts at a distance of 40 feet. Scoring will be as follows:Sticks in outer area of target=1pt; sticks in middle area =2pts; sticks in bull’s-eye=3pts. For a maximum of 9 points.Darts that hit on the line between target areas are scored for the higher point value area.Darts that bounce out of the target score 0, as do darts that stick in the hay bales and miss the target itself. A tie for first place in any individual event will be resolved by a tie breaker round (or rounds). Individual Rabbit Stick (Regardless of Age)Participants may use their own rabbit sticks or the ones provided. Each participant will throw three times at stationary targets from a distance of 25 feet, each valid hit is 1 point for a maximum score of 3 points. Rabbit stick targets will be drawn rabbits set just above ground level that flip backwards when hit. To be scored, a hit must knock the rabbit so that it flips backwards. In the event of the rabbit targets showing too much wear and tear, volleyballs will be used, to where they must be hit off from their cones. A tie for first place in any individual event will be resolved by a tie breaker round (or rounds). Friction fire-starting Race using a simple Hand Drill1st, 2nd, 3rd Place awards will be given in Youth (12 and under) and Adult (13 and up) Competitors create their tinder bundles and get their gear ready prior to the event start time. At the command “READY”, competitors will have their hearth-boards, spindles, and tinder-bundles sitting on the ground in front of them and place both hands on the ground. When the judges see that all competitors are ready, the command “START” will be given and timing begins. The first competitor to achieve a viable flame (not just ember) wins. A tie for first place in any individual event will be resolved by a tie breaker round (or rounds). TEAM ATLATL (Regardless of Age)Teams (of 2 to 5 people, any combination of ages/skill) will throw a total of 5 darts from a distance of 40 feet, at a square archery target Groups such as scout groups, university anthropology clubs, families, or businesses may wish to compete as teams. Throws will be scored the same as in the Individual Atlatl category above. The number of darts thrown per person varies with team size, per below; 2-4 person teams decide amongst themselves who will throw more or fewer darts at each position. 2 person team: one person throws 3 darts, the other throws 2darts3 person team: two people throw 2 darts each, one throws 1dart4 people team: three people throw 1dart, one throws 2 darts5 person team: one person throws 1 dart A tie for first place in any team event will be resolved by a tie-breaker round (or rounds). EQUIPMENT REGULATIONSAtlatlsFor atlatls accuracy, distance, atlatls may be made of natural materials such as wood or modern materials such as fiberglass and aluminum. The atlatls provided for public use will be made of wood DartsFor accuracy competition may be made of natural or modern materials.May not be tipped with flaked stone, razor, or other hunting points (for safety). Metal target points are acceptable. Points do not need to be sharp to penetrate (the blunt head of a bolt usually penetrates several inches into foam). The darts provided for public use will be made of 48’ long unfletched wooden dowels with a bolt set into the nose for balance and durability. Rabbit sticksMust be made of natural wood or plywood. Other materials (e.g, twine, sinew, glues, fiberglass tape)May be used to reinforce the weapon. Rabbit sticks may be made of plastic.Metal will not be allowed. Friction Fire Simple Hand DrillsAll friction fire hand drill sets must be supplied by the contestants. All materials must be natural that would have been available to ancient people, but are not limited to resources that are Native to Texas or the Americas. No dryer-lint tinder! Wooden dowel spindles and board hearth are accepted, finger loops will be allowed. Other methods such as hand drill, bow drill are not allowed. EVENT SCHEDULEBegin registration, practice range opens for public use and registered competitors can usecompetition range for practice.10:0 am Introductory remarks & orientation11:00-11:15 Begin public demonstrations; atlatl and rabbit stickFlint-knappingFriction Fire-startingCordage Making from Native PlantsReplica Artifacts andAsk an Archeologist11:00 am through 3:00 pm Begin Competitions Friction Fire-starting Race11:00-11:45 Rabbit Sticks11:45-12:30 Single Atlatl12:30-1:15 Skilled1:15-2:30 Amateur2:30-3:15 Team Score sheets are tallied.3:15-3:30 Awards Presented and Concluding Remarks3:30-4:00 RESOURCES: Here some handy online resources How to build an atlatl:http://www.nps.gov/amis/historyculture/upload/Atlatl.pdfhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTatpBldTmQ&feature+related How to build atlatl darts:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzkAdHrU A&feature=related Atlatl accuracy tips:http:/www.youtube.com/watch?v+uhrJ6aojwM How to start fire with the simple hand drill:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF9GiK T4PATwo Texas materials that make excellent fire starting kits are yucca and sotolbloomstalks, but there are many others as well. Cedar bark rubbed betweenthe hands into fine pieces makes superb tinder bundle material. Cattail fluffmixed with dry grass is good too (experiment with grass/fluff ratios to get it right) FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Seminole Canyon State Park (432) 292-4464 Event organized and hosted by Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site. Even staffed by Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site (Texas Park and Wildlife Department), Amistad National Recreation Area (National Park Service), Shumla , Rock Art Foundation, and many hardworking voluntee
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