Stone club.

fearn · 19th March 2007, 02:02 AM

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 · 19th March 2007, 08:04 AM

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.

inveterate · 19th March 2007, 03:02 PM

I dont think this club is Australian Aboriginal. Cheers Rod

Tim Simmons · 19th March 2007, 04:18 PM

Give us a clue then Ron. I did say it may be from a vast area from Northern Territories to PNG and all surrounding islands.

Tim Simmons · 19th March 2007, 05:32 PM

Interesting pic. Ukandi boy making a stone club.
http://www.naa.gov.au/publications/r...ustrations.htm

More stuff about stone trade.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m..._n8824352/pg_4

Tim Simmons · 19th March 2007, 07:02 PM

It is then possible that a flint nodule like this may have travelled over 600km by canoe and how many km inland? So it may have been rather expensive in the local economy. Being a good shape for a club could make it more so. One reason not to smash it about too much. It may even have had a certain cult power for being so shaped. A lump of flint being so special might be hard for us to understand.

katana · 19th March 2007, 07:20 PM

Hi Tim,
the stone head seems to have little evidence of being 'worked'...which suggests that 'form' came before function. It appears that the club head was almost entirely formed by natural erosion by water and movement (rubbing against other rock fragments by water flow ...tides or fast flowing rivers for instance.)

Have you been able to ID the rock used ? Obviously this could help discover the possible region that it originated and the way it would have been worked.
There is the possibility that the head is very old, was 'lost' and subjected to natural erosion. Re-found, and as it had a 'natural hammer/club head' form was remounted on a shaft

The shaft seems to be 'mis-matched' with the head.....very egonomic with the slight curve...similar to late hatchet/small axe handles.
Flint as it is worked, flakes off leaving a facetted surface....however it is formed from molten lava and can form some very unusual organic shapes.....perhaps this club head was 'naturally formed and regarded by those that found it... to be a 'gift of the gods' and held in high esteem...it would also explain the lack of human intervention in its manufacture.

Tim Simmons · 19th March 2007, 07:42 PM

That is a possibility and along the lines I have mentioned earlier. This is a close up of the knapped edge of the ridge. The over side is mainly formed by a natural fissure with one or to knapped parts. The other end a small lump has been knapped off to accommodate the handle. It is not the working of the stone that is the clever part here. It is the perception and execution of the whole thing to achieve a fine balance and functional fighting weapon. The look at one is glance decieving.

19th March 2007, 08:04 AM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	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. Last edited by Tim Simmons; 19th March 2007 at 12:48 PM. Reason: spelling

19th March 2007, 07:02 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Another thought. It is then possible that a flint nodule like this may have travelled over 600km by canoe and how many km inland? So it may have been rather expensive in the local economy. Being a good shape for a club could make it more so. One reason not to smash it about too much. It may even have had a certain cult power for being so shaped. A lump of flint being so special might be hard for us to understand.

19th March 2007, 02:02 AM	#1
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	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

19th March 2007, 03:02 PM	#3
inveterate Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 58	I dont think this club is Australian Aboriginal. Cheers Rod

19th March 2007, 04:18 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Give us a clue then Ron. I did say it may be from a vast area from Northern Territories to PNG and all surrounding islands.

19th March 2007, 05:32 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Interesting pic. Ukandi boy making a stone club. http://www.naa.gov.au/publications/r...ustrations.htm More stuff about stone trade. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m..._n8824352/pg_4

19th March 2007, 07:20 PM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Tim, the stone head seems to have little evidence of being 'worked'...which suggests that 'form' came before function. It appears that the club head was almost entirely formed by natural erosion by water and movement (rubbing against other rock fragments by water flow ...tides or fast flowing rivers for instance.) Have you been able to ID the rock used ? Obviously this could help discover the possible region that it originated and the way it would have been worked. There is the possibility that the head is very old, was 'lost' and subjected to natural erosion. Re-found, and as it had a 'natural hammer/club head' form was remounted on a shaft The shaft seems to be 'mis-matched' with the head.....very egonomic with the slight curve...similar to late hatchet/small axe handles. Flint as it is worked, flakes off leaving a facetted surface....however it is formed from molten lava and can form some very unusual organic shapes.....perhaps this club head was 'naturally formed and regarded by those that found it... to be a 'gift of the gods' and held in high esteem...it would also explain the lack of human intervention in its manufacture.

19th March 2007, 07:42 PM	#8
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	That is a possibility and along the lines I have mentioned earlier. This is a close up of the knapped edge of the ridge. The over side is mainly formed by a natural fissure with one or to knapped parts. The other end a small lump has been knapped off to accommodate the handle. It is not the working of the stone that is the clever part here. It is the perception and execution of the whole thing to achieve a fine balance and functional fighting weapon. The look at one is glance decieving.