Europameisterschaft prähistorische Waffen / European Championship for Prehistoric Weapons

A European championship in the land of Ötzi

The Europameisterschaft prähistorische Waffen (European Championship for Prehistoric Weapons) is held annually at the archeoParc Val Senales, an open-air archaeological museum located in Madonna di Senales / Unser Frau, in the municipality of Senales/Schnals, in the province of Bolzano (Trentino-South Tyrol). This is no ordinary event: it takes place in the very valley where, over 5,000 years ago, the Iceman (Ötzi) lived and hunted. Here, at an altitude of 1,500 meters, archers and javelin throwers from all over Europe gather every late September to test their skills using the same weapons employed by our prehistoric ancestors.

The disciplines: prehistoric archery and atlatl

The competition is divided into two main disciplines. Saturday is traditionally dedicated to prehistoric archery along a hunting course set in the Bodenwald forest, featuring animal targets at varying distances. Sunday is reserved for javelin throwing with a spear-thrower, the ancient atlatl (known in German as Speerschleuder), a hunting technology widespread during the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods. Each discipline includes three categories of participants: men, women, and children.

The ISAC World Precision Championship

In parallel with the European trials, the archeoParc also hosts the ISAC World Precision Championship for the atlatl, organized by the World Atlatl Association. This is a premier international event for enthusiasts of experimental archaeology and prehistoric hunting techniques, drawing competitors from Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and various Italian regions.

Experimental archaeology and community spirit

More than just a competition, the championship is a gathering of enthusiasts who share a passion for the earliest history of humanity. As the organizers themselves emphasize, the competition is not always the main focus: the weekend is also an opportunity to reconnect with friends, forge new relationships, and end the days with convivial meals featuring South Tyrolean specialties. The setting of the open-air museum, with its reconstructed Neolithic huts, makes the experience even more immersive.

archeoParc Val Senales: the museum of Ötzi

The archeoParc Val Senales is South Tyrol's first interactive archaeological museum. Spanning approximately 5,000 square meters, it reconstructs the daily life of the Iceman's era with dwellings and environments faithful to the Stone Age. Throughout the year, the museum offers demonstrations such as fire-making, copper and flint working, bow making, and bread baking. The championship is the highlight of the season, when the park transforms into a true prehistoric competition field.