Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0005-0166   CAS 0005-0166; Kayak oar / paddle
Category Watercraft
Object Name Kayak oar / paddle
Culture Northern Inupiat
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. Alaska
County
Other Geographic Data Northern Alaska
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1900
Collection Name Liebes Collection (Native Alaskan)
Materials Cedar (Cedrus sp.) wood
Description Double-blade paddle for use with kayak, carved from single piece of wood; Wide spatulate blade at each end extends from central hand grip; Each blade accounts for approximately one-quarter of the total length of the paddle; Ventral side of each blade (held facing kayaker) is flat and on same plane as lower edge of hand grip; Lateral edges of each blade expand at their midpoints to their maximum width and the distal end of each is truncated to a very shallow point; Median ridge on ventral surface of each blade extends from the midpoint to the hand grip; Hand grip, itself, is ovoid in cross-section; Surface of entire paddle has been stained reddish color; Upper edge of hand grip is either painted black or is simply stained from use; No trace of painted designs on blades; One blade is slightly narrower than the other.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 14.0, Thickness = 4.4, Length = 253.0