Arrow Item Number: Aa38 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

An arrow with several components: metal double-barbed point with a bark-covered fore-shaft wrapped with sinew, a short section of hollow reed (joining sleeve) a small shaft of carved wood (link shaft), another short joining sleeve, the main length of hollow reed ending with a notched wooden insert. Each joining sleeve is bound with sinew; the main shaft has two bindings, one strengthening the insert, the other repairing a break. All sinew is glued with a mixture of acacia gum and the melted hoof of a gemsbok. The link shaft and first sleeve are glued together with this mixture, as is the fore-shaft. The second joining sleeve is glued to the main shaft and bound to prevent splitting.

History Of Use

Hunting. The arrowhead and foreshaft are poisoned. The sinew wrapping serves to keep the poison on. The main shaft and its components are intended to fall out of the animal as they are valuable.

Cultural Context

hunting