Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0005-0347   CAS 0005-0347; Harpoon head
Category Weaponry
Object Name Harpoon head
Culture North Alaskan Eskimo
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. Alaska
County unknown
Other Geographic Data Western region
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture early 1900s
Collection Name Liebes Collection (Native Alaskan)
Materials Ivory; Metal: Copper
Description Toggling harpoon head, carved from single piece of ivory to overall cylindrical shape; Proximal end is cut off diagonally and bifurcated on one face, and the shaft itself partially drilled to form socket for attachment to foreshaft; Biconical perforation is drilled through center of shaft for attachment to line, with polished groove extending from perforation to proximal end; Triangular area extending from perforation to distal slot is incised for decorative effect; Shallow incised line extends along longitudinal median ridge on both faces from proximal to distal ends; Slot cut into tapered distal end is fitted with hammered triangular copper blade that is secured with copper rivet.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 2.8, Thickness = 3.0, Length = 12.1