Spear

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/spear

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the material evolution?From fire-hardened wood and bone to flint, obsidian, copper, bronze, and steel
2. What is the cultural significance?Spear-launchers were sometimes decorated with animal carvings, indicating artistic and symbolic value
3. What is a spear and why is it important?A spear is a long stick with a sharp point used for hunting and fighting. It is one of the oldest tools humans made and helped people survive and grow.
4. How did people make spearheads over time?Early spearheads were made from fire‑hardened wood, then bone, stone, and later metals like copper, bronze, and steel. Each new material made the spear stronger and sharper.

Polearm: A class of close-combat weapons where a typical medieval weapon such as a poleaxe, halberd, or pike has a head mounted on a long shaft.
Atlatl: An ancient spear-throwing tool that uses leverage to increase the velocity and range of a thrown spear.
Melee Combat: Fighting that occurs at close quarters, typically with hand-to-hand weapons.