Pitjantjatjara (Barbed Spear)

Object/Artifact

-

El Camino College Anthropology Museum

Name/Title

Pitjantjatjara (Barbed Spear)

Entry/Object ID

E-180-AB

Description

This pitjantjatjara or barbed spear, has two parts. The longer part (A) includes the barbed tip. The spears are wrapped with sinew, both ends for the barbed spear, and only one end for the short spear. The shorter spear (B) has a point that has been dipped in what may be blood or some type of pitch or tar. The longer barbed spear (A) has incised decorative zig-zags below the barb, attached with sinew.

Collection

El Camino College Anthropology Museum

Category

Ethnography
Anthropology

Acquisition

Accession

12.04.01

Ethnography

Cultural Region

* Untyped Cultural Region

Australia

Culture/Tribe

Anangu

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Dimensions of short spear

Width

1.2 cm

Length

66 cm

Dimension Description

Dimensions of long spear

Width

1.2 cm

Length

80 cm

Color

Brown

Condition

Overall Condition

Very Good

Notes

Spear is in two pieces. Sinew that held two pieces together still attached to the short spear. Barb is still intact and somewhat sharp while the pointed end of the spear has been dulled. No major defects in the wood of either piece.