- Collection type
- Object
- Description
- Fish spear with ivory point and barbs.
- Geographical reference
- Date / Period
- Date made: Before 1936
- Date collected
- By 1936
- Acquisition information
- Donated: 1941
- Materials and processes
- Material Animal Ivory Tooth
- Object numbers
- Accession number: 1941.2.97 Other numbers: 9.9.36
- Research and responses
The following notes are drawn from research compiled by Andy Mills as part of the DCF Cutting Edge project in 2006-2007.
If we address the form of this spear, there are a number of features to be remarked upon. Firstly, the head itself does not seem (to my eye) to be ivory, unless it is narwhal (with which I am unfamiliar); the dark mottling is much more characteristic of whale bone. It is very slender and the barbs are quite small. This seems to imply that penetration was more important than preventing withdrawal. The secondary barbs are also quite interesting. These are a much darker yellow than the head and lie in the same plane as its two serrated edges; I would suggest that (unless these are old walrus ivory), they are most likely to be antler. Their lashing is quite an interesting feature. Multiple points and barbing are a common worldwide feature of spears used for taking game in water, as the defraction (or ‘bent stick’ effect) makes accurate aiming quite difficult. I am unconvinced that this actually is a spear for taking fish, like the one to its left, due to the strongly penetrative design of the head. Perhaps it’s a seal-spear? [El.B 17/03/2008]
Search terms: Fishing, Weapon, Fishing Accessory, Spear