Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

katana · 13th July 2010, 03:06 PM

Hi Lew,
IMHO I do not think this is a head from throwing hunting spear. The wide blade would require alot of impact force to penetrate the animal to any sufficient depth. The other 'problem' is that if the animal is hit in the 'rib cage' area at an angle of around 45-90 degrees to the ribs ...it would hardly penetrate at all (ie between each rib). Generally, that is why throwing hunting spears tend to have a narrow, extremely pointed spear head.

I think a 'thrusting' type spear is much more likely.....the target can be hit more accurately and forcefully. The wider blade profile would create wide 'shallow' cuts .....targetting the arteries in the neck, arms or legs would cause fatal or debilitating wounds. I would not be surprised if this type of spear was used in warfare. Although, obviously it could be used as the final killing blow to an animal, that had been 'tracked', after being previously wounded by the hunters and was too tired to escape....but still to dangerous to get too close to.

Regards David

13th July 2010, 03:06 PM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Lew, IMHO I do not think this is a head from throwing hunting spear. The wide blade would require alot of impact force to penetrate the animal to any sufficient depth. The other 'problem' is that if the animal is hit in the 'rib cage' area at an angle of around 45-90 degrees to the ribs ...it would hardly penetrate at all (ie between each rib). Generally, that is why throwing hunting spears tend to have a narrow, extremely pointed spear head. I think a 'thrusting' type spear is much more likely.....the target can be hit more accurately and forcefully. The wider blade profile would create wide 'shallow' cuts .....targetting the arteries in the neck, arms or legs would cause fatal or debilitating wounds. I would not be surprised if this type of spear was used in warfare. Although, obviously it could be used as the final killing blow to an animal, that had been 'tracked', after being previously wounded by the hunters and was too tired to escape....but still to dangerous to get too close to. Regards David Last edited by katana; 13th July 2010 at 03:20 PM.