Kangaroo Tooth Lacerator

inveterate · 1st September 2010, 08:46 AM

Ron..Any chance they could be Dingo teeth? Rod

Ron Anderson · 1st September 2010, 10:42 AM

Hi Rod

Yes, I'd say there's every chance of that.

I give up. This is Australia. Just about everything here has sharp, nasty teeth.

Dingo is a very real possibility, I must concede.

This requires further research. Otherwise my guess is as good as yours.

The reference books certainly note that all sorts of teeth were used for tools and weapons.

I have to say, I viewed a shark tooth weapon from micronesia the other day, paying attention to the teeth, and they didn't have the characteristics of these particular teeth. They didn't have those little lateral lines I mentioned earlier.

Regards
Ron

Ron Anderson · 1st September 2010, 11:21 AM

I have just googled shark's teeth and that is what these are.

So thanks for the suggestions. Dingoes have curvy canine-like teeth (what a surprise).

These have serations on the edges and there don't seem to be any mammals with teeth like that.

I don't know what kind of shark, except it's clearly not a Great White.

inveterate · 1st September 2010, 11:32 AM

Ron, The little I know about these weapons points their manufacture to the central desert regions..if that was correct I guess the Shark teeth would have to come as trade items...but of course so little is known of these very rare implements the whole location thing could be wrong and they could be coastal...a real mystery..whatever the answer an outstanding and rare piece. Rod

Tim Simmons · 1st September 2010, 04:57 PM

I spent some time investigating the Aboriginal flint trade. Trade sytems in Aus were extensive, no reason why shark teeth did not reach the central regions. The flint was traded through Cape York and traded far into the Melanesian world.

Also as mentioned earlier various teeth like ivory could be ground into a slicing triangle. One of these knives could be held in a belt/waist band and used at close quater. It might be small but if one was slashed with force across your face or any part of a naked body, it is going to shake your confidence some what.

Love the knife Ron. I am going to have to hunt one.

Tim Simmons · 1st September 2010, 05:22 PM

Not Aus, Admiralty Islands sting ray dagger 46cm collected 1899 from "Admiralty Islands Art From The South Seas, museum Rietberg Zurich"

I want one, need one, probably will never have one

++GOOD

fearn · 2nd September 2010, 05:00 PM

I'm with everyone who says those are sharks teeth.

The other thing I'd question is the "kangaroo dung as glue." Not that I'm a specialist, but kangaroos are herbivores, and their poop is more like that of a cow. When dry, it's fibrous enough to use as tinder for fire starting and even as a paper additive.

My guess is some sort of dung. Many aboriginal knife handles are made from molded spinifex gum, and that's what I suspect that's what was used here to fix the teeth.

Best,

F

1st September 2010, 05:22 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Animal bits. Not Aus, Admiralty Islands sting ray dagger 46cm collected 1899 from "Admiralty Islands Art From The South Seas, museum Rietberg Zurich" I want one, need one, probably will never have one ++GOOD Attached Images

1st September 2010, 08:46 AM	#1
inveterate Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 58	Ron..Any chance they could be Dingo teeth? Rod

1st September 2010, 10:42 AM	#2
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Hi Rod Yes, I'd say there's every chance of that. I give up. This is Australia. Just about everything here has sharp, nasty teeth. Dingo is a very real possibility, I must concede. This requires further research. Otherwise my guess is as good as yours. The reference books certainly note that all sorts of teeth were used for tools and weapons. I have to say, I viewed a shark tooth weapon from micronesia the other day, paying attention to the teeth, and they didn't have the characteristics of these particular teeth. They didn't have those little lateral lines I mentioned earlier. Regards Ron

1st September 2010, 11:21 AM	#3
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	I have just googled shark's teeth and that is what these are. So thanks for the suggestions. Dingoes have curvy canine-like teeth (what a surprise). These have serations on the edges and there don't seem to be any mammals with teeth like that. I don't know what kind of shark, except it's clearly not a Great White.

1st September 2010, 11:32 AM	#4
inveterate Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 58	Ron, The little I know about these weapons points their manufacture to the central desert regions..if that was correct I guess the Shark teeth would have to come as trade items...but of course so little is known of these very rare implements the whole location thing could be wrong and they could be coastal...a real mystery..whatever the answer an outstanding and rare piece. Rod

1st September 2010, 04:57 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	I spent some time investigating the Aboriginal flint trade. Trade sytems in Aus were extensive, no reason why shark teeth did not reach the central regions. The flint was traded through Cape York and traded far into the Melanesian world. Also as mentioned earlier various teeth like ivory could be ground into a slicing triangle. One of these knives could be held in a belt/waist band and used at close quater. It might be small but if one was slashed with force across your face or any part of a naked body, it is going to shake your confidence some what. Love the knife Ron. I am going to have to hunt one.

2nd September 2010, 05:00 PM	#7
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	I'm with everyone who says those are sharks teeth. The other thing I'd question is the "kangaroo dung as glue." Not that I'm a specialist, but kangaroos are herbivores, and their poop is more like that of a cow. When dry, it's fibrous enough to use as tinder for fire starting and even as a paper additive. My guess is some sort of dung. Many aboriginal knife handles are made from molded spinifex gum, and that's what I suspect that's what was used here to fix the teeth. Best, F