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Maka tau

human history
  • Other Name

    Throwing Stone (English)

  • Description

    Maka tau. Throwing stone. This maka tau has been made from pou pou ana tupu mai lalo (coral lime stone stalagmite) 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. It is dark brown in colour with visible veins or lines running around its exterior that are varying shades of brown.

    Its surface is partly polished and smooth but also has lots of little white marks and abrasions from being worked into shape or hammer dressed. For this reason the surface is rough and dull in parts. The texture or grain of the pou pou ana tupu mai lalo is also visible on the surface of the maka tau. 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 Date
    1892
  • Other Id

    11715.2 (ethnology)

  • Department

    Pacific

Maka tau, 11715.2, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08… … Read more

Images and documents

Images

  • Maka tau, 11715.2, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Maka tau, 11715.2, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Maka tau, 11715.2, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Maka tau, 11715.2, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • stone, sling

Artefact

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