Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 2017-0002-0002   CAS 2017-0002-0002; Spear
Category Ceremonial Items
Object Name Spear
Culture Micronesian
Global Region Oceania
Country Federated States of Micronesia
State/Prov./Dist. Yap
County
Other Geographic Data Western Caroline Islands
Maker's Name
Date of Manufacture ca. 1945
Collection Name N/A
Materials Wood; Pigment
Description Long ceremonial spear, carved from a single piece of wood, with a cylindrical shaft that accounts for approximately one third of the spear's total length and expands gradually from the proximal end to its maximum diameter at the spear's midpoint; The distal end is carved in a series of seven sets of barbs of graduated size, which extend downward towards shaft from the pointed tip; Barbed ends have been painted black, and a simple black geometric design decorates the portion of shaft below the barbs; The proximal end has been carved to a fluted and spindle-shaped point; Proximal end is also primarily painted black interspersed with undyed bands.
Dimensions (cm) Max Diam = 3.7, Length = 135.0