Spear-thrower, instrument for throwing darts or arrows, found in the cave of the Mas d'Azil, Ariège, France. The artefact shows at its upper end the image of a wild cock, probably a wood grouse. It can be supposed that in prehistoric times were already attributed to this animal the characteristics associated in later periods with the cock (sexual energy, fertility, association with the sun). The dating goes back to the Magdalenian period (17,000-11,000 years B.P.). The object is exhibited in the Museum of the Grotte du Mas d'Azil, (Ariège, France).

[Image: http://www.grotte-masdazil.com/Le-coq-de-Bruyere.html]