Kangaroo Tooth Lacerator

Jason Anstey · 1st September 2010, 07:06 AM

I am guessing that the teeth are crocodile. I can think of any other Australian beast that has teeth like this. Small salty or a freshy I think?

Ron Anderson · 1st September 2010, 07:26 AM

Hi Tim

The stone knife is 17cm. That's a lot longer than they usually. They're usually very short, as you can see from the references you sent.

It's the biggest one I've actually seen, but then I haven't seen that many.

Both edges are actually serrated - there are notches in the stone, saw-like. Still fairly sharp.

Hi Jason

Crocodile teeth are much bigger than this. I believe these are actually shark's teeth. The more I look at them the more I think this is from Queensland and these are shark's teeth. These haven't been sharpened by anything other than evolution. There are little serration marks that are too fine and symmetrical to have been ground.

So let me amend my description - this is a Shark Tooth Lacerator. While shark tooth weapons are used elsewhere in Oceania, they are very scarce here in Australia. This is a rare item in these parts. And by their nature these teeth are more vicious than kangaroo teeth, even sharpened ones.

inveterate · 1st September 2010, 08:46 AM

Ron..Any chance they could be Dingo teeth? Rod

Ron Anderson · 1st September 2010, 10:42 AM

Hi Rod

Yes, I'd say there's every chance of that.

I give up. This is Australia. Just about everything here has sharp, nasty teeth.

Dingo is a very real possibility, I must concede.

This requires further research. Otherwise my guess is as good as yours.

The reference books certainly note that all sorts of teeth were used for tools and weapons.

I have to say, I viewed a shark tooth weapon from micronesia the other day, paying attention to the teeth, and they didn't have the characteristics of these particular teeth. They didn't have those little lateral lines I mentioned earlier.

Regards
Ron

Ron Anderson · 1st September 2010, 11:21 AM

I have just googled shark's teeth and that is what these are.

So thanks for the suggestions. Dingoes have curvy canine-like teeth (what a surprise).

These have serations on the edges and there don't seem to be any mammals with teeth like that.

I don't know what kind of shark, except it's clearly not a Great White.

inveterate · 1st September 2010, 11:32 AM

Ron, The little I know about these weapons points their manufacture to the central desert regions..if that was correct I guess the Shark teeth would have to come as trade items...but of course so little is known of these very rare implements the whole location thing could be wrong and they could be coastal...a real mystery..whatever the answer an outstanding and rare piece. Rod

Tim Simmons · 1st September 2010, 04:57 PM

I spent some time investigating the Aboriginal flint trade. Trade sytems in Aus were extensive, no reason why shark teeth did not reach the central regions. The flint was traded through Cape York and traded far into the Melanesian world.

Also as mentioned earlier various teeth like ivory could be ground into a slicing triangle. One of these knives could be held in a belt/waist band and used at close quater. It might be small but if one was slashed with force across your face or any part of a naked body, it is going to shake your confidence some what.

Love the knife Ron. I am going to have to hunt one.

1st September 2010, 07:06 AM	#1
Jason Anstey Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 102	I am guessing that the teeth are crocodile. I can think of any other Australian beast that has teeth like this. Small salty or a freshy I think?

1st September 2010, 07:26 AM	#2
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Hi Tim The stone knife is 17cm. That's a lot longer than they usually. They're usually very short, as you can see from the references you sent. It's the biggest one I've actually seen, but then I haven't seen that many. Both edges are actually serrated - there are notches in the stone, saw-like. Still fairly sharp. Hi Jason Crocodile teeth are much bigger than this. I believe these are actually shark's teeth. The more I look at them the more I think this is from Queensland and these are shark's teeth. These haven't been sharpened by anything other than evolution. There are little serration marks that are too fine and symmetrical to have been ground. So let me amend my description - this is a Shark Tooth Lacerator. While shark tooth weapons are used elsewhere in Oceania, they are very scarce here in Australia. This is a rare item in these parts. And by their nature these teeth are more vicious than kangaroo teeth, even sharpened ones.

1st September 2010, 08:46 AM	#3
inveterate Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 58	Ron..Any chance they could be Dingo teeth? Rod

1st September 2010, 10:42 AM	#4
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Hi Rod Yes, I'd say there's every chance of that. I give up. This is Australia. Just about everything here has sharp, nasty teeth. Dingo is a very real possibility, I must concede. This requires further research. Otherwise my guess is as good as yours. The reference books certainly note that all sorts of teeth were used for tools and weapons. I have to say, I viewed a shark tooth weapon from micronesia the other day, paying attention to the teeth, and they didn't have the characteristics of these particular teeth. They didn't have those little lateral lines I mentioned earlier. Regards Ron

1st September 2010, 11:21 AM	#5
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	I have just googled shark's teeth and that is what these are. So thanks for the suggestions. Dingoes have curvy canine-like teeth (what a surprise). These have serations on the edges and there don't seem to be any mammals with teeth like that. I don't know what kind of shark, except it's clearly not a Great White.

1st September 2010, 11:32 AM	#6
inveterate Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 58	Ron, The little I know about these weapons points their manufacture to the central desert regions..if that was correct I guess the Shark teeth would have to come as trade items...but of course so little is known of these very rare implements the whole location thing could be wrong and they could be coastal...a real mystery..whatever the answer an outstanding and rare piece. Rod

1st September 2010, 04:57 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,917	I spent some time investigating the Aboriginal flint trade. Trade sytems in Aus were extensive, no reason why shark teeth did not reach the central regions. The flint was traded through Cape York and traded far into the Melanesian world. Also as mentioned earlier various teeth like ivory could be ground into a slicing triangle. One of these knives could be held in a belt/waist band and used at close quater. It might be small but if one was slashed with force across your face or any part of a naked body, it is going to shake your confidence some what. Love the knife Ron. I am going to have to hunt one.