Belfast Area High School students in Chip Lagerbom's Archaeology class are currently learning about the Paleo, Archaic and Ceramic periods of prehistoric Maine. They recently practiced their hunting skills with an atl-atl to see if they would be the group's chief hunter.

The ancient hunting tool, used during the Archaic Period, uses leverage to achieve a higher velocity for the spear making it capable of piercing the thick hide of larger animals. The tool has a bearing surface to allow the thrower to maintain more energy during the throw.

“Hopefully our hunting group would also be proficient in berry gathering and obtaining other food sources,” said Lagerbom, in a news release.