E1481: Kungsan Spear

Ethnographic

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Identifier:

E1481

Classification Category:

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

Marks/Labels:

None

Materials:

animal ➔ sinew
botanical ➔ wood
metal ➔ iron

Dimensions:

101.3cm L

Use/Function:

This was a spear used to kill animals when hunting, though they also used items like a knob kerrie (Sha

Description:

The spear belongs to the Ju/hoansi people (also known as the Kung or bushman). They collect iron from the spearhead "from the neighboring Bantu" (Schapera, 1927), but then on their own the Ju/'hoansi make the spears with a shaft between 4-6ft with a head that is almost 1 ft long. The actual spear is 4 feet and 6 inches long.

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