E0255: Inuit- Knife, Ulu

Ethnographic

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Identifier:

E0255

Classification Category:

10:Unclassifiable Artifacts ➞ Multiple Use Artifact

Marks/Labels:

TAG: "Primitive tool from Port (sic) Hope, Alaska Scraper for skins."

Materials:

stone/minerals

Dimensions:

10 cm L
5 cm W

Provenance of Object:

This object was held in the museum that Luther College started in 1877. This museum eventually grew into the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, and following this, non-Norwegian American ethnographic objects were returned to Luther and accessioned into the college’s Anthropology Collection. Without additional documentation, was likely obtained by the Luther College Museum (later the Norwegian-American Museum) between the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Source Locality:

Point Hope Alaska, USA

Acquisition Date:

June 6 1938

Description:

Inuit Ulu knife made of slate. Referred to as the "Woman's knife", this style of knife is used for cooking, chopping, and cleaning animal hides.

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