Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0103-0038   CAS 0103-0038; Fishing spear
Category Tools & Implements
Object Name Fishing spear
Culture Australian Aborigine
Global Region Australia
Country Australia
State/Prov./Dist. Queensland
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1910-1920
Collection Name N/A
Materials Bamboo; Wood (hardwood); Kangaroo (?) sinew; Bone (?); Pitch
Description Fishing spear consisting of long, unmodified bamboo shaft with 4 very long carved hardwood points stuck into distal end of shaft and secured with sinew wrapping and coating of black pitch; At distal end of each hardwood point is a double-pointed bone (?) barb that is also secured with sinew wrapping and pitch; Hardwood points are tightly bundled together at their bases, but flare out from each other at their distal ends.
Dimensions (cm) Max Diam = 2.5, Length = 212.0