Unalakleet, Norton Sound, Alaska, United States, North America
Accession Date:
1 Nov 1878
Notes:
FROM 19TH OR EARLY 20TH CENTURY EXHIBIT LABEL WITH CARD: "HARPOONS. SHAFTS OF CEDAR, OVAL IN CROSS-SECTION, FITTED INTO BONE HEADS, IN OUTER END OF WHICH ARE WOODEN PLUGS IN WHICH ARE INSERTED BARBED-BONE POINTS SECURED TO HEADS BY LANYARDS. ON MIDDLE OF SHAFTS ARE FASTENED BONE FINGEER-CLEATS, AND NEAR ENDS ARE LASHED SEAL-BLADDER BUOYS, WITH BONE MOUTH PIECES; HARPOON LINE IS ATTACHED TO LANYARD OF SHAFT. LENGTH, 4 TO 5 FEET; BONE HEADS, 7 INCHES; POINTS, 3 TO 5 INCHES. ALASKA. COLLECTED BY E. W. NELSON AND L. M. TURNER. 33,936, 29,040, 33,911, 33,912, 33,930, 33,938, 33,864, 33,975, 33,933. USED BY ALASKAN INDIANS OF NORTON SOUND AND ELSEWHERE IN SEAL AND BELUGA (WHALE) HUNTING, AND THROWN AFTER THE GAME HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY SPEARED TO PREVENT THEM FROM SINKING OR ESCAPING."