Spearthrower

Source: Museums Victoria

Credit: The Donald Thomson Collection, on loan to Museums Victoria from the University of Melbourne

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The Donald Thomson Collection, on loan to Museums Victoria from the University of Melbourne

https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/154153

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Item DT 4116 Tula | Spearthrower. Wik Mungkan. Archer River, West Cape York, Queensland, Australia. c.1932

Summary

This spearthrower with its shell counterweight on one end is typical of the type made on Cape York Peninsula. These were used by men to launch spears at medium and large game alike such as wallabies and kangaroos.

Local Name

Tula

Physical Description

A flat elliptical shaped piece of hardwood with a notched peg set at right angle to shaft at the distal end with resin. Oval shaped segments of shell are fixed with resin to each side of the proximal end.

More Information

Object/Medium

Spearthrower
Maker

Unknown
Cultural Groups

Wik Mungkan
Locality

Archer River, West Cape York, Queensland, Australia
Date Produced

c.1932
Collector

Donald F. Thomson
Date Collected

29/04/1933
Object Measurements

830 mm (Length), 110 mm (Width), 30 mm (Height)
Classification

Bunjilaka, Many nations, Working country
Date Made

1933
Maker

Not Recorded
Clan/Language Group

Wik-Mungkan
Place Made

Archer River, Queensland, Australia
Indigenous Region

West Cape, Australia
Keywords

Hunting
Acquisition Information

Long-term Loan from The University of Melbourne, 28 Mar 1973
Collection Names

Donald Thomson Collection
Type of item

Object
Discipline

Anthropology
Category

First Peoples
Acknowledgement

The Donald Thomson Collection. On loan to Museum Victoria from The University of Melbourne.

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Item DT 4116 Tula | Spearthrower. Wik Mungkan. Archer River, West Cape York, Queensland, Australia. c.1932

Summary

Local Name

Physical Description

More Information

Object/Medium

Maker

Cultural Groups

Locality

Date Produced

Collector

Date Collected

Object Measurements

Classification

Date Made

Maker

Clan/Language Group

Place Made

Indigenous Region

Keywords

Acquisition Information

Collection Names

Type of item

Discipline

Category

Acknowledgement