Hi Martin,
thanks for the reply
. I had considered this as a possible fishing spear, but the size and decoration seems to suggest otherwise. Its OAL is 39cms ( approx. 15 inches). I have a fishing spearhead used for Nile perch (which can grow to 2m in length
) which is smaller, only a few barbs and is undecorated. I also considered it might be a 'croc' hunting spear but again usually they have few, if any, barbs and are rarely decorated.
The other consideration is that a barbed fishing spearhead would have to be firmly attached to the shaft. Otherwise the head could detach from the shaft .....losing the head .....and a fish. Many socketted fishing spears often have a hole to nail or rivet the head onto the shaft.
I am not saying your suggestion is wrong, but I think its quite possible, that its function is more to greviously wound humans, than to catch fish.
All the best
David