Kangaroo Tooth Lacerator

[Ron Anderson]

I'd like to share something unusual from my collection – a Kangaroo Tooth Lacerator.

This is something many Europeans may never get to see. Actually, most Australians don't know much about this particular item either. The basic implement is called a Taap knife. Generally these have a stone blade and are just a simple cutting tool, but this example has a bit more bite. The teeth in these are (I believe, anyway) kangaroo, though on the Queensland coast they have been known to use shark's teeth.

The 'cement' in which these teeth are placed is actually kangaroo dung. This is hard as anything and these teeth are very firmly in place.

These weapons haven't been used at all in about a 100 years. Most Australians have never heard of them. The two examples in the Australian Museum in Sydney were collected in 1905. I think this example is at least that old or older. The handle is stone cut and it is really smooth through all the handling.

This item item was exclusively a weapon for fighting, which is unusual it seems among indigenous Australians. Most weapons were primarily tools or hunting weapons.

The idea of this nasty piece of work is to slash it at the face of your opponent. Not a deadly weapon, but certainly able to help you make a point.

[Tim Simmons]

Ron you said you would post some stones?

You lucky chap, compere with these pictures. It is interesting that the items in the colour pictures are from "expeditions" as late as 1901-2. Colour pictures Pitt Rivers Oxford. The black and white "Australian Aboriginal Stone Implements, F.D. McCarthy, Australian Museum" The lacerator is post the same size as in the publication.

[Tim Simmons]

Got to show this. I have a Dugong tusk. Only about 4" would be exposed. Took a while to identify it. Could still be hippo?

[Ron Anderson]

Hi Tim

Thanks for your post.

Apologies for not posting photos of the stones. I've only just got this camera. I'll post some pics of my Australian stones on that thread to keep the conversation consistent.

Thanks for showing those references. I do have the book the black and white pictures are from.

My knife I think must be an older example, considering the fluted grip and the general ornament, as well as the wear to the grip. It seems to be from central Australia and has ochre on the front of the item where the teeth are. I think it's better than the two I've seen in the Australian Museum.

Aboriginal knives of any kind are kind of rare, but this is very unusual.

Here's another good piece I have. I don't know much about it. It's got a very pronounced curve and is considerably longer than most aboriginal stone knives. I think it might have been used primarily for circumcisions.

Ouch.

PS. That tooth reminds me a bit of walrus ivory, so you're probably right about it being dugong.

[David]

Those teeth look rather flat and pointed. I'm not sure they fit the profile for kangaroo teeth. I would more likely think shark.
Here are the skulls of 2 different types of kangaroo.

[Ron Anderson]

Hi David

You could be right. I did initially think these were Shark's Teeth. I changed my mind after looking at shark's teeth, but this could be a different type I haven't spotted.

I have noticed that the teeth on the kangaroo implements I saw in the museum were pretty sharp. It is possible it was constructed of just the incisors from these animals. That would mean killing more kangaroos, of course, but there are plenty of those in Australia, so no problem there.

If they are shark's teeth, this would change the location of this artefact from central Australia to Queensland. This is a bit surprising because of the ochre on the item which I associate with central Australia more.

Regardless, the weapon still seems to have disappeared a century or so ago.

I suspect, as much as anything, it simply became obsolete as European implements became more readily accessible. A lot of work must have gone into making this - I suspect, the process of preparing the cement (for want of a better word) was pretty laborious.

It looks primitive, this knife. But it's pretty well made. Nonetheless, it has a limited function. It can't really be used for anything other than fighting. It seems to have been an implement carried almost exclusively by young men – a kind of indigenous Australian switchblade, if you like.

[Ron Anderson]

Hi David

This is the best close up of the teeth I can manage.

There are little striations on the both sides of each tooth, which you may not be able to see on the photo.

If you look at Tim's reference posted here you'll see the item there described as "kangaroo tooth" lacerator too. Those teeth look similar to those of my knife.

But that could be wrong. I don't know.

Ron

[Tim Simmons]

Ron thanks for the pictures. Love that knife of yours, beautiful work. Something I find most interesting. Look at the knife blades in the colour pictures I post, how modern and similar in form to steel forged and ground blades, reminding me of Pukko knives.

The teeth on the lacerator are most probably as stated "Kangeroo" just ground to the desired point.

[VANDOO]

I HAVE INCLUDED A PICTURE OF A BARACUDA JAW USED IN HAWAII FOR SCARIFICATION. THE AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINALS ALSO PRACTICED SCARIFICATION AND IT IS A SOURCE OF PRIDE TO SHOW THEIR TRIBAL SCARS, SEE PICTURE. MOST AUSTRALIAN TRIBES I KNOW OF USED SPEARS AND SHIELDS ALONG WITH THROWING CLUBS AND STRIKING CLUBS AS THEIR PRIMARY WEAPONS. IF A TRIBE HAD ONLY A SMALL WEAPON SUCH AS THE ONE YOU HAVE THEY WOULD NOT HAVE FARED WELL IN BATTLE. SO PERHAPS IT IS MOSTLY FOR USE IN RITUAL AND PERHAPS COULD BE USED FOR SCARIFICATION WHICH WAS VERY IMPORTANT IN THE AUSTRALIAN TRIBES. JUST A POSSIBILITY
MOST FISH AND LIZZARD TEETH TEND TO BE MORE FLATTENED WHILE THOSE FROM MAMMALS TEND TO BE MORE ROUND. I AM NOT SURE IF THERE ARE ANY LARGE FRESHWATER FISH IN AUSTRALIA THAT HAVE LARGE TEETH. THE GOANNA MONITOR LIZZARD WOULD HAVE LARGE TEETH. THERE ARE PLENTY OF MARSUPIALS IN AUSTRALIA AS WELL AS KANGAROO TO CHECK FOR COMPARISONS. THANKS FOR POSTING A VERY UNUSUAL AND INTERESTING ITEM. GOOD LUCK

[VANDOO]

DUGONG 8 TO 10 FEET LONG LARGEST CAUGHT 13.2 FEET LONG. SKULL 16 IN. LONG X 9IN. WIDE X 9.5 IN. HIGH. IT IS SAID TO BE THE SMALLEST OF THE SIRENIANS THE MANATEE IS LARGER BUT LACKS TUSKS.

HIPPO OVER TWO TONS. THIS SKULL MEASURES 30IN. LONG X 20 IN WIDE X 20 IN HIGH. SOME ARE NO DOUBT LARGER.

THE TOOTH SHOWN APPEARS TO BE 12INCHES LONG THE LONGEST MEASUREMENT OF AN ADULT MALE DUGONG SKULL IS 16 IN. I PERSONALLY WOULD GO WITH HIPPO.

THE DUGONG IS RELATED TO THE ELEPHANT AND IT IS EASY TO SEE A SIMULARITY IN THE SKULL. PIC. OF ELEPHANT SKULL WITH TUSKS AND PICTURE OF FOSSIL DWARF MAMMOTH SKULL, THE ORIGIN OF THE CYCLOPS LEGENDS.

[Ron Anderson]

Hi Tim

It is possible this knife may also have been used for scarification, however I don't think this was a primary function at all. It was a fighting knife. Aborigines had other tools specifically for the purpose of scarification etc. These were mainly stone blades. I've included a photo of one here (see below) - another item in my growing collection of aboriginal artefacts. It's called a leira blade. It would have been used for scarification, sub-incision and other surgical tasks. And of course also as a spear head.

Regarding your tooth: I recently had the good fortune to attend an auction with a lot of marine ivory, including entire walrus tusks. In fact, I purchased some Innuit tools made from walrus ivory, including an ivory eskimo harpoon blade. There is something about your tooth that suggests marine ivory. I think it might be the smoothness of the surface - perhaps this is owing to the erosive nature of water on a tooth. I would put my money on the fact that this came from a sea mammal like a dugong. Of course, hippos also spend a lot of time in water, so I may be wrong.

[Ron Anderson]

Hi Tim

I appreciate your comment on the fact that those knives look like Pukko knives.

It's simply amazing how the same basic designs inform cultures from opposite ends of the world and the technological spectrum. Especially when it comes to tools and weapons.

In fact, that would make a very good discussion thread.

Can you think of two cultures further apart? I can't.

[Tim Simmons]

I am sure the tusk is Hippo, I have one of the curved tusks also.

Ron this has been an engaging thread. How long is the knife you show? does it still have an edge? I suppose a skilled knapper and user of such knives would have no problem redressing the blade when needed. The pukko style knife like blades look to me as the work of the most skilled nature. I really like the hollow ground apperance. As you say amazing, Finland and Aus. Just got to find one. Admiralty Island knives are common, not the good old ones, I will post stuff about the cottage industy production of knives from the Admiralty Island latter after work.

[Jason Anstey]

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]

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]

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

[Ron Anderson]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Tim Simmons]

Not Aus, Admiralty Islands sting ray dagger 46cm collected 1899 from "Admiralty Islands Art From The South Seas, museum Rietberg Zurich"

I want one, need one, probably will never have one ++GOOD

[fearn]

I'm with everyone who says those are sharks teeth.

The other thing I'd question is the "kangaroo dung as glue." Not that I'm a specialist, but kangaroos are herbivores, and their poop is more like that of a cow. When dry, it's fibrous enough to use as tinder for fire starting and even as a paper additive.

My guess is some sort of dung. Many aboriginal knife handles are made from molded spinifex gum, and that's what I suspect that's what was used here to fix the teeth.

Best,

F

[Ron Anderson]

Hi Fearn

This is not spinifex. It is a completely different composition. That's something that may not be clear in the photographs. However, until I master this new camera of mine, you'll simply need to accept my assurances on that.

I will try provide a more accurate photo soon.

I sourced a very interesting description how these knives – or at least, Taap knives, which are essentially the same – are made. It involves kangaroo dung put through a certain process. It is not kangaroo dung on its own. That knowledge and craftsmanship has not been lost entirely and there are people who still employ these techniques when making Taap knives.

When looking at the knife, and specifically the mound into which the teeth have been placed, there are actually threads of grass still there from the kangaroo dung.

The reason you might believe this is just spinifex is that this is a very rare implement and you probably have never come across anything like it. I will try source the description of how these items are made and post it later.

Regards
Ron

[fearn]

Ron,

You're certainly right, and I didn't see the grass fibers around there.

Best,

F

[Ron Anderson]

Hi Fearn

I found this information online regarding the manufacture of a taap knife. A taap knife is very much like this knife except slabs of stone are used instead of teeth:


A taap is a Nyungar knife.

It was made by very clever Nyungar people using materials gathered from the balga (grass tree resin) When grass trees are burnt or are open to strong light, resin from the trunk responds to the heat and runs down the side of the tree to the bottom. When it is ground up, it becomes very volatile.

Kangaroo (yonga) faeces (goona) were collected and dried. As the yonga only eats grass, what comes out is refined grass that lasts a long time.

The third ingredient is charcoal.

If 50% of balga resin is ground up and mixed with 25% yonga goona and 25% charcoal, a chemical reaction takes place when the mixture is placed over heat or fire (kaarla). The balga resin melts, the charcoal ignites and the goona binds the resin.

A small boorn (stick) is heated and then rolled in the mixture which sticks to the boorn. When enough mixture is gathered on the boorn a small quartz stone chip is used as the blade.

The taap is used for cutting up meat, skinning kangaroos, possums (koomal) and wallabies (kwirr).

[fearn]

Thanks for the recipe, Ron. I hadn't known that grass trees produced resin. Otherwise, the process is pretty similar to what you have to do with pine resin to make a workable adhesive that isn't too brittle.

Best,

F

[Ron Anderson]

Well, you're way ahead of me. I didn't even know there was such as a grass tree.