Bone Harpoon Spearhead
Maker
Aleutian Artist/Maker
DateCollected in the first half of the 20th century, possibly pre-contact (18th century)
CultureAleut
Place MadeAlaska, USA, North America
MediumIvory or animal bone, likely walrus
Dimensions13.5 x 10.1 x 3.4 cm (5 5/16 x 4 x 1 5/16 in.)
Credit LineGift of Drs. John and Bessie Sawhill
Object number76.1.44
On View
Not on viewCollections
Terms
Label TextThis harpoon spear point is likely from the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska. Smaller harpoons were used for hunting seals, walruses, and fish, larger ones in whale hunting. Indigenous populations hunted only as needed, used the entirety of the carcass, and did not kill young animals.
This object can be dated to the 18th century, a critical time in the history of the Pacific Northwest region because of the arrival of the first European explorers. Driven by fur trading, non-native hunting caused the depletion of animal populations that indigenous groups relied on as food sources.
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