Prehistoric - 1700s

Atlatl

Designs

Manufacture: The atlatl was made by mid-paleolithic homo heidelbergensis, the ancestors to modern-day humans.
Design: A shaft of wood with a cup at the end to place the butt of a projectile. Later improvements to the atlatl include a weight and an attachment for the fingers.
Battles: This was made before recorded history, so there are no documented battles. Although it is believed the atlatl was used for hunting, which at this point in history was a battle in itself due to the danger.
Ammunition Types: Common ammunition types included spears, stones, and any other sharp object that would fit in the notch.

Economic Impacts
The atltatl preceded the bow and arrow, which was a great asset to conquerers and other such people. But whether the atlatl itself was used in such conquests is unknown.

Vase Cannon