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Maka tau

human history
  • Other Name

    Throwing Stone (English)

  • Description

    Maka tau. Throwing stone. This maka tau is made from puga (coral) and would have been used in war as a throwing weapon. When used during combat, it would be thrown at the enemy from as far away a distance as four meters. This maka tau is ovoid or egg-shaped with a slightly elongated length and uneven form. The ends taper to curved points. It is of a mottled dark brown colour with specks of white and is smooth-surfaced apart from some small abrasions.

    Through use, it has acquired a layer of brown dirt that has partially covered the original white surface of the puga. The maka tau was often used as a defending weapon in combat and if thrown correctly, could do real damage and even cause death.

  • Place
    Niue
  • Accession Number
    1931.218
  • Accession Date
    1931
  • Other Id

    16300.4 (ethnology)

  • Department

    Pacific

Maka tau, 1931.218, 16300.4, Photographed by Richard Ng,… … Read more

Images and documents

Images

  • Maka tau, 1931.218, 16300.4, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Maka tau, 1931.218, 16300.4, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Maka tau, 1931.218, 16300.4, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Maka tau, 1931.218, 16300.4, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • stone

Artefact

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