Summary
Harpooning a dugong and turtle was a highly skilled undertaking and used by a man standing upright in a canoe. The wooden hook would be attached to a long wooden harpoon shaft that would be launched at the animal as it surfaced. The head would detach from the harpoon while remaining attached to the rope and enabled the animal to be tracked and finally caught.
Local Name
Kopoi
Physical Description
A single length of rope made of Hibiscus fibre (Hibiscus tiliaceus) with two harpoon heads attached at the ends.
More Information
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Object/Medium
Rope
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Maker
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Date Collected
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Object Measurements
450 mm (Length), 400 mm (Width), 130 mm (Height)
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Classification
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Date Made
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Maker
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Clan/Language Group
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Place Made
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Indigenous Region
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Keywords
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Acquisition Information
Long-term Loan from The University of Melbourne, 28 Mar 1973
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Acknowledgement
The Donald Thomson Collection. On loan to Museum Victoria from The University of Melbourne.