1000 year old copper pointed antler arrow found in Yukon
- Thread starter Jared
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Why all those barbs?
Weird design.
Spears for spear throwers were used all over the world, but not with that strange design. I wonder if something is missing. Maybe the hunter managed to retieve a part?
Sprar throwers were still in use in South America when the Spanish invaded. I chrcked online.
Weird design.
Spears for spear throwers were used all over the world, but not with that strange design. I wonder if something is missing. Maybe the hunter managed to retieve a part?
Sprar throwers were still in use in South America when the Spanish invaded. I chrcked online.
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I agree. Too long for any kind of arrow head, but ideal for hunting seal/narwhal etc, mounted on the end of a wooden shaft.
And to the location away from sea or shore - it fell out from his pack into the snow.
Also it is not straight? I would think a projectile should be straight to fly true?
A harpoon is a close distance projectile and can be bent.
Also it is not straight? I would think a projectile should be straight to fly true?
A harpoon is a close distance projectile and can be bent.
It's a natural material; it could well have been straight 1000 years ago! but I agree, I can't see how that could be used with a bow. For all we know it could have had no practical use at all and just been ceremonial or ornamental. We will probably never know
Google UBC/MOA to see British Columbian examples of identified harpoon/spear heads.
Always a good thing to get another point into a big halibut or seal at the surface.
Always a good thing to get another point into a big halibut or seal at the surface.
It's a natural material; it could well have been straight 1000 years ago! but I agree, I can't see how that could be used with a bow. For all we know it could have had no practical use at all and just been ceremonial or ornamental. We will probably never know
Not a bow, it was propelled by fitting into a kind of stick.
The leverage gave it speed, controllability and power.
This system predates bow and arrow. No, we will never know.
But as a harpoon tip that detaches and lodges inside the bidy of the prey, it would work. Attached to a line of leather, with added airfilled sacks made from seal skin at the other end.
It does have similarity with the Inuit harpoon poins as shown in the Antropology museum in your link, Robson V!
I was thinking same as Janne a harpoon head with tether line? breakable lashing with a hard notch for the very rear. Would it not be better for fish even if used with a bow?
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There's no way it was ever fired from a bow. I think it's likely a seal harpoon, the point fitting an equal shaped hollow in a spear handle and, as mentioned, a line attached. I've seen footage of Eskimo people hunched over ice holes waiting for the seal to take some air using a similar device, but more of a toggle that releases within the animal than this thing. I don't see it as an active hunting weapon, more a lying in wait weapon.
So maybe even hand-held as a striking tool? Possibly on the end of a long pole/spear? This is when I really want a time machine
So maybe even hand-held as a striking tool? Possibly on the end of a long pole/spear? This is when I really want a time machine
Exactly that, I don't think this was ever designed to fly. The cord is held tight in the hunters hand which holds the barb to the shaft until the strike. Once the animal's been struck the haft is released. The animal, particularly if hunted through an ice hole, can then be hauled out easily using the cord.
Google shows similar.
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Quite the opposite end of the world but Fuegeians had harpoons of bone.
Head, often very long, attached to wooden haft, -animal tries to shake it out, the half detaches and as it is tied on halfway down, the haft swings at 90 degrees and hampers the beast.
Used for seals, sea lions, porpoises and on very rare occiasions, a small whale.
Head, often very long, attached to wooden haft, -animal tries to shake it out, the half detaches and as it is tied on halfway down, the haft swings at 90 degrees and hampers the beast.
Used for seals, sea lions, porpoises and on very rare occiasions, a small whale.
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