Stone club.

[katana]

Certainly has rustic charm Tim, nicely organic Are these bi-functional ie weapon and a tool ? The centre 'groove' in the stone head.....is it natural or man-made?

[Henk]

I must say Tim, that it looks very very nice to me. I think it is a nice find.

[FenrisWolf]

An aborigine stone club, eh? Does that make the correct war cry "Yabba-Dabba-Didgeri-Doo?"

Nice piece, not that familiar with Australian aborigine weapons (beyond the ubiquitous boomerang), but I seem to recall their tech level was still solidly in the Neolithic period, right?

[Flavio]

Originally Posted by FenrisWolf

I seem to recall their tech level was still solidly in the Neolithic period, right?

More Upper Paleolithic! I think that the central groove is hand made. Verrrry nice!!!!

[Tim Simmons]

Thanks everyone. I have been thinking about this a little more and come up with some ideas.
I am not saying this is the reality to the clubs origins but it is interesting and feasible to me.
The stone is largely as found. There is evidence of a small amount of napping to enhance the natural shape. I am going to suggest that the stone was selected for its resemblance to a beak/birds head. Not sure if it is flint, the stones I see when walking my dogs looks similar but not quite the same. There is a sheen or patina to the club stone. Perhaps a very slight polishing through use?

Back to the bird head idea. These pictures come from the A.C. Haddon expedition collection at the British Museum. I also think it is reasonable to include islands such as New Britain and New Ireland. I am sure there would be something about the fellow "google". How widespread the obviously symbolic bird head thing is a do not know.
527 is 5cm shorter than the club stone and is listed as follows-
Bird, stone. biro-biro zogo or lewer zogo . Volcanic stone pecked and ground to represent the biro biro bird. This was kept at Kabur on Mer and used in magical procedures to ensure good yam crop.

626 is listed as a wood birds head club the rest of the information is just descriptive.

526 is very interesting as to me it is more abstract than the club stone and 527 in the representation of a birds head. The listing is the same as 527.

[fearn]

Interesting piece Tim!

I've got to admit some level of skepticism, though. Here's why:

"Primitive means first, not worst." That's a quote from the flintknapping/reconstructionist archeology crowd. The basic point is that, just because it's made out of stone, bark, and wood, it doesn't mean it should be sloppy or non functional.

This piece reminds me a bit of a stone club I made when I was a young kid, although admittedly it's better built. Basically, I'd believe it was genuine if it was solidly built, with a good swing (i.e. well weighted) and with a good striking surface or two. That rock head looks like it's pretty irregular for neolithic work. If it's good construction, then Tim can tell us. Otherwise, I start wondering if someone was having fun, or building something for the tourist market, perhaps.

If genuine, it could be from the Torres Strait Islands (which are granitic). There is appropriate rock in the vicinity for that head.

My 0.02 cents,

F

[Tim Simmons]

Sadly you are unable to appreciate the sublety in the clubs construction through the PC. There is a gentle curve in the halft that I am sure is the product of consideration and understanding to achieve a heavy secure practical and comfortable balanced weapon. I understand the need for knowledgeable and experienced criticism as you have eloquently proffered so well in the past. Perhaps other examples might come out of the wood work.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...12/ai_n8824352

The trade in coastal flint from North Australia is well documented.