Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0143-0166   CAS 0143-0166; Shark tooth dagger
Category Weaponry
Object Name Shark tooth dagger
Culture Micronesian: I-Kiribati
Global Region Oceania
Country Kiribati (Gilbert Islands)
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture mid to late 1800s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Wood; Oceanic white tip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) teeth; Plant fiber cordage; Human hair cordage
Description Sickle-shaped dagger with wooden shaft lined along both edges with single row of shark teeth, each tooth fitted into a groove along the shaft’s edge and individually fastened with cordage made from plant fiber and human hair; Distal end of blade tapers to point; Proximal end of blade extends to form hand-grip which is carved and worn smooth.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 11.5, Thickness = 1.8, Length = 36.2