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Maka tau

human history
  • Other Name

    Throwing Stone (English)

  • Description

    Maka tau. Throwing stone. This maka tau is made from poupou ana (limestone) 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, fitting comfortably within the palm of the hand. It has ends that taper slightly to rounded points however one of these points have been chipped off or gouged.

    It is off-white and milky in colour but riddled with fine lines and cracks. Its surface is otherwise very smooth and polished. The fine lines and markings are brown in colour and stand out against the milky whiteness of the limestone. 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]/Pacific
  • Accession Number
    1925.3
  • Accession Date
    1925
  • Other Id

    8213 (ethnology)

  • Department

    Pacific

Maka tau, 1925.3, 8213, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital,… … Read more

Images and documents

Images

  • Maka tau, 1925.3, 8213, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Maka tau, 1925.3, 8213, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Maka tau, 1925.3, 8213, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Maka tau, 1925.3, 8213, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply

Artefact

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