Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0027-0044   CAS 0027-0044; Lamp
Category Lamps
Object Name Lamp
Culture Native Alaskan
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. Alaska
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. early 1900s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Bone: whale vertebra
Description Whale oil lamp fashioned from whale vertebra from which most of the muscular protuberances have been removed, either naturally or manually, to form a relatively flat surface with a slight natural ridge around its perimeter; For use, a small amount of whale oil would be placed on the surface of the lamp and a small plant fiber wick would be lit.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 5.3, Width = 17.6, Length = 22.4