E1478.4: Kung San Arrow Point (A&B)

Ethnographic

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Identifier:

E1478.4

Classification Category:

5:Tools & Equipment for Science and Technology ➞ Armament ➞ Edged

Materials:

animal ➔ sinew
botanical ➔ reed
metal ➔ iron

Dimensions:

Description:

These arrows come from the Kungsan (or Bushman) people from Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. Their arrows were hand made and coated with a poison from a local beetle, the poison would be coated on the arrow point and the shaft just below it. The use of poison allowed for them to effectively kill injure predators at a distance before they followed them until the poison ultimately killed them. The lower shaft is the only part of the entire arrow that is reused. Due to the breakaway design that allows the two pieces to separate if the animal crushes it.

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