Temporary exhibition: The spear-thrower. From reindeer hunters to kangaroo hunters
Designed and developed by the Musée du Malgré-Tout – Centre for Archaeological Study and Documentation in Treignes (Belgium), the exhibition Le propulsion, from reindeer hunters to kangaroo hunters presents the uses of this iconic weapon on five continents, from prehistory to the present day.
From February 7, 2026 to January 3, 2027
Le Solutré Prehistory Museum, cultural site of Department of Saône-et-Loire, present The propulsion device. From reindeer hunters to kangaroo hunters.
But what the propellant This is the weapon that nomadic peoples of glacial Europe used to hunt large mammals for at least 20,000 years! An ingenious throwing weapon, the spear-thrower multiplies the mechanical force, power, and firing range of long, pointed projectiles called assegaisMade from wood, wicker, bamboo, or reindeer antler, the spear-thrower has evolved within different cultures and natural environments around the world, from prehistory to the present day. Used for hunting, harpoon fishing, or even warfare, discover the many facets of the spear-thrower! Travel and explore the history and uses of the spear-thrower, from the Arctic Circle to the Native American civilizations, from the Aztecs to the Papuans of Micronesia, from the Aboriginal peoples of Australia to Homo sapiens Europeans.
The exhibition is based on an exceptional collection of original ethnographic objects, reconstructions and archaeological casts: spear throwers, projectiles, models and toys, brought together over a lifetime of acquisition by a passionate collector.
