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Maka tau

human history
  • Other Name

    Throwing Stone (English)

  • Description

    Maka tau. Throwing stone. This large maka tau is made from poupou ana hifo mai luga (stalactite) 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. Its form is misshapen and uneven due to some natural gouges and furrows on its surface. It has ends that taper slightly to rounded points.

    It is dark brown in colour but features some lighter patches on its exterior. Its surface is smooth for the most part but textured where there are gouges, marks and abrasions. Some of these finer marks are a result of the stone being hammer dressed into shape. 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
    1927.88
  • Accession Date
    1927
  • Other Id

    10892 (ethnology)

  • Department

    Pacific

Maka tau, 1927.88, 10892, Photographed by Richard Ng,… … Read more

Images and documents

Images

  • Maka tau, 1927.88, 10892, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Maka tau, 1927.88, 10892, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Maka tau, 1927.88, 10892, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Maka tau, 1927.88, 10892, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • stone, throwing

Artefact

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