Spearthrower, made from a flat piece of wood, grooved along its length and with an ivory peg at the narrower distal end to engage the spear butt. [LM 16/10/2007]

Collection type: Object
Description: Spearthrower, made from a flat piece of wood, grooved along its length and with an ivory peg at the narrower distal end to engage the spear butt. [LM 16/10/2007]
Long description: Spearthrower, made from a flat piece of wood, grooved along its length and with an ivory peg at the narrower distal end to engage the spear butt. The ivory peg is inserted into a slot in the wood and bound in place with sinew. At the broader proximal end the implement is carved to fit the right hand with a notch for the thumb, a rectangular slot for the forefinger and dents for the remaining fingers. The object has been repaired (?locally) with iron nails. [LM 16/10/2007]
Geographical reference: Canada
Northern America > North America > Canada
Cultural groups: Inuit (Greenland); Inuit
Person: Field collector George Francis Lyon; PRM source Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford
Date / Period: Date made: On or before 1825?, uncertain
Date collected: 1825
Acquisition information: Transferred: 11/03/1886
Materials and processes: Material Wood Plant, Material Animal Ivory Tooth, Material Animal Sinew, Material Iron Metal, Process Carved, Process Perforated, Process Bound, Process Grooved, Process Nailed, Process Repaired (local)
Dimensions: Length: max 405 mm, Width: max 90 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1886.1.675 Other numbers: 389
Research and responses: This object was examined by Jonathan King (MAA Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge). The visit took place 28/09/2015. [NC 23/11/2015]

Search terms: Weapon, Hunting, Fishing, Spear-thrower, Hunting accessory, Fishing Accessory

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