Unusual notches on very old boomerang

Robert · 7th January 2018, 09:39 AM

Could these possibly be tally-marks used to keep count of animals taken when using this particular piece for hunting?

Best,
Robert

chiefheadknocker · 7th January 2018, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

Could these possibly be tally-marks used to keep count of animals taken when using this particular piece for hunting?

Best,
Robert

hi Robert , yes I did wonder this , but then I thought a boomerang of this age would of maybe taken more animals than this , I'm not sure ,difficult to know , I havnt seen any other boomerangs with similar marks ,
thanks for your reply

Sajen · 7th January 2018, 12:07 PM

Nice stone (?) carved boomerang!

Sorry can't be from help by your question.

Battara · 7th January 2018, 06:32 PM

Could they be for aerodynamic speed and lift?

Bob A · 8th January 2018, 05:13 PM

Vortex generators are often used on the leading edge of aircraft wings to permit the wing to operate efficiently at low speeds. If these notches have a similar effect, it would keep the boomerang flying at lower rotational speeds, presumably.

Vortex generator:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vortex_generator

Battara · 8th January 2018, 10:40 PM

Yeah..........what Bob said........

Roland_M · 9th January 2018, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Could they be for aerodynamic speed and lift?

I dont think so, because the notches are on the trailing edge, not on the leading edge.

I simply think, the notches are either a kind of simple decoration or (better idea) made for more grip during the throw.

Roland

chiefheadknocker · 9th January 2018, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roland_M

I dont think so, because the notches are on the trailing edge, not on the leading edge.

I simply think, the notches are either a kind of simple decoration or (better idea) made for more grip during the throw.

Roland

yes I agree , the notches are on the trailing edge

Ian · 9th January 2018, 04:17 PM

When an object is spinning, I'm not sure one can say that there is a consistent leading and trailing edge.

As a kid growing up in Australia, I played with boomerangs and knew a few aboriginal kids that I would see on summer holidays along the eastern Victorian coast. The manner of throwing a boomerang is with the concave edge forward, at least that is how the aboriginals throw them. The fingers therefore grip one end of the concave side. The notches on this example are on the end of the convex side, and therefore would impinge on the palm of the hand--that could be uncomfortable and would be of no advantage in gripping the boomerang. This manner of throwing the boomerang is used for the ones that return to the thrower. I'm not sure that the same technique was used for hunting boomerang, which could be the opposite. The boomerang shown here is not markedly curved, like the returning examples, and the straighter ones are usually described as "hunting" boomerangs that were often thrown more vertically than the returning type, which are thrown at an angle of about 45 degrees to the ground.

I don't have an answer for what the notches represent, but they probably were not helpful in gripping the boomerang to throw it. Perhaps our resident Aussie, Alan Maisey, may have a better idea what they are for.

Ian.

7th January 2018, 09:39 AM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Could these possibly be tally-marks used to keep count of animals taken when using this particular piece for hunting? Best, Robert

7th January 2018, 12:07 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Nice stone (?) carved boomerang! Sorry can't be from help by your question.

7th January 2018, 06:32 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Could they be for aerodynamic speed and lift?

8th January 2018, 05:13 PM	#5
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 435	Vortex generators are often used on the leading edge of aircraft wings to permit the wing to operate efficiently at low speeds. If these notches have a similar effect, it would keep the boomerang flying at lower rotational speeds, presumably. Vortex generator: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vortex_generator

8th January 2018, 10:40 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Yeah..........what Bob said........

9th January 2018, 04:17 PM	#9
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,363	When an object is spinning, I'm not sure one can say that there is a consistent leading and trailing edge. As a kid growing up in Australia, I played with boomerangs and knew a few aboriginal kids that I would see on summer holidays along the eastern Victorian coast. The manner of throwing a boomerang is with the concave edge forward, at least that is how the aboriginals throw them. The fingers therefore grip one end of the concave side. The notches on this example are on the end of the convex side, and therefore would impinge on the palm of the hand--that could be uncomfortable and would be of no advantage in gripping the boomerang. This manner of throwing the boomerang is used for the ones that return to the thrower. I'm not sure that the same technique was used for hunting boomerang, which could be the opposite. The boomerang shown here is not markedly curved, like the returning examples, and the straighter ones are usually described as "hunting" boomerangs that were often thrown more vertically than the returning type, which are thrown at an angle of about 45 degrees to the ground. I don't have an answer for what the notches represent, but they probably were not helpful in gripping the boomerang to throw it. Perhaps our resident Aussie, Alan Maisey, may have a better idea what they are for. Ian.