Stone club.

[fearn]

Thanks for the votes of confidence, Tim and Vandoo.

I was googling around to see what I could find in the way of information on Torres Strait Island clubs, and all I found was an article that says that there was a steady trade in club heads between the islands and the southern coast of PNG. The heads here (as I recall) disk shaped with a hole in them, and were made out of good stone. The name of these clubs was something like gabagaba. No pictures, unfortunately, but I'm guessing it's the kind of club mentioned in Stone's Glossary.

Anyway, that's not what we have here. I'm sticking with my original guess.

0.02 cents,

F

[Tim Simmons]

Again I feel there is room here for you to lend substance to your thinking with related information and illustration. I can extend the area of investigation throughout Melanesia, Micronesia and find many forms of weapon, wood and stone that in ways relate to the piece in question. The likeness to Biro-Biro totems {how extensive is this and other cassowary cults?} and weapons that were clearly based on this concept plus the fact that flint was a trade commodity in Melanesia and beyond through the Torres Straits is quite weighty. With the absents of field research and time to access collections in various cities I have in the very least tried to present a reasoned and informed opinion. Can you elaborate on your indication that flint nodule clubs were not made? I will keep this in mind and in the coming few months find time to visit the British Museum, and the Brighton museum where there is a good permanent display of Melanesian artifacts to do more research on the matter. I would find it hard to claim anything ardently without having the opportunity to handle the item. It will only be a matter of time before more conclusive evidence emerges like in an earlier discussion.

[Bill]

The sinew looks fairly large, as well a long piece. Would a dog be able to provide that? It looks like it would need to be from a larger animal. The cloth covered wire on it looks to be some sort of communications wire & fairly old. I don't think it proves much but may shade some light on when it was once displayed. The worm holes are also a nice touch. Doesn't look like any chips on the ends, so I doubt it was ever used as a tool. Hope you can put a time & place to an interesting piece.

[Tim Simmons]

Bill it seems to be one long strip of bark. I assume it is soaked to make it more elastic or it had these properties when fresh to shrink on itself like hide work in East Africa. Forming a very tight hold. It is indeed tight enough to run amok with confidence. Interesting that the this part of the Pacific completed the world telegraph network in 1902 I believe. Here is some more stuff on trade in the Torres Straits and PNG Fly river region.

I have started the process to make an appointment at the British Museums ethnographic department study room on the matter of flint headed clubs and will report all.

[VANDOO]

IF IT COULD BE DETERMINED WHAT TYPE OF PLANT BARK OR TYPE OF ANIMAL IF IT IS HIDE OR SINEW IT MIGHT HELP YOU PIN IT DOWN. AS MENTIONED LARGE ANIMALS WERE NOT AVAILABLE IN ALL AREAS WHERE MAN LIVED UNLESS YOU COUNT MAN HIMSELF.
MANY PRIMATIVE SOCIETYS CONSIDERED ROCKS OR OTHER NATURALY OCCURING MATERIALS THAT HAD INTERESTING SHAPES TO HAVE SPECIAL POWERS. MANY TIKI STONES IN HAWAII WERE NATURAL SHAPED STONES FOUND AND BROUGHT INTO THE HEIAU (TEMPLE) THAT REPRESENTED VARIOUS POWERFUL BEINGS OR GODS. I BELEAVE THE PRACTICE WAS WIDESPREAD THRU-OUT POLYNESIA. I WILL BE INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT YOU FIND OUT. GOOD LUCK

[Tim Simmons]

It is some kind of bark.

[inveterate]

Tim, I understand you have the piece in your hands and we are just looking at pictures, but could the binding be some sort of Reed as opposed to Bark ? Rod