Harpoon with a bamboo shaft and barbed metal head. The metal tang is set into a wooden foreshaft, this is attached to the shaft with several string lines. [AB [OPS move] 10/9/2018]

Collection type: Object
Description: Harpoon with a bamboo shaft and barbed metal head. The metal tang is set into a wooden foreshaft, this is attached to the shaft with several string lines. [AB [OPS move] 10/9/2018]
Long description: Harpoon with a bamboo shaft and barbed metal head. The metal tang is set into a wooden foreshaft, this is attached to the shaft with several string lines. The lines are bound along the shaft with plant fibre. The shaft has been cut diagonally with the lower part bound to the longer section with metal wire. [AB [OPS move] 10/9/2018]
Geographical reference: Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Union Territory of India)
Asia > Southern Asia > Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Union Territory of India); Nicobar Islands
Person: Maker Unknown Maker; Field collector Edward Horace Man; PRM source Augustus Henry Lane Fox Pitt Rivers founding collection
Date / Period: Date made: Possibly before 1878
Date collected: ?Prior to 1878
Acquisition information: Donated: 1884
Materials and processes: Material Iron Metal, Material String, Material Bamboo Plant, Material Plant Fibre, Material String, Material Wood Plant, Process Carved, Process Bound, Process Forged (Metal)
Dimensions: Length: max 2750 mm, Width: max 85 mm, Depth: max 50 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1884.20.46 PR Cat other PR nos: 3779
Research and responses: This object is listed in Accession Book VII but is one of those items listed there which were part of the PRM collections before 1884. [AP Leverhulme project on founding collection 1995-1998]
Associated publications: Indian Antiquary, Feb. 1895, 'Catalogue of Nicobarese objects', p. 44 '22 (m) Hinwenh or Hinlâk (Car Nicobar Lâk) and 23 (m) Kan-shoka Two descriptions of harpoons for spearing turtles, ray-fish, sharks, and dugongs. The latter weapon, being provided with a long line, which is held in the hand, is first thrown; after which, in order to render the capture more certain, the former is brought into use. The shaft of the hinwenh is of bamboo but that of the kanshoka is of hard wood.' [AP Leverhulme project on founding collection 1995-1998] JAI: 1878: 466 '8 Hinwenh Fish harpoon used for catching large fish. The turtle harpoon (called Kansheu ka) very much resembles the hinwenh but it has a longer line (I have no specimen in my possession so cannot send one) Pl XV [EH Man].

Search terms: Weapon, Hunting, Cordage, Children and Childcare, Harpoon, Hunting accessory