Iron spear-head
Other views of this artifact:
Accession Number:
1913.27.2
Country:
Sudan
Region:
[Upper Nile]
Date Made:
By 1913
Materials:
Iron Metal
Process:
Forged (Metal) , Hammered , Socketed , Decorated , Incised
Dimensions:
L = 411; blade L = 144, W = 32.3, th = 2.6; shank W = 12.8, th = 11.3, socket diam = 18.3 x 17.8 mm [RTS 27/6/2005].
Weight:
279.2 g
Other Owners:
W.B. Chamberlain
Field Collector:
?W.B. Chamberlain
PRM Source:
W.B. Chamberlain
Acquired:
Donated August 1913
Collected Date:
By 1913
Description:
Iron spearhead consisting of a narrow leaf-shaped blade with very slight thickening down the centre, on a long square sectioned shaft that has a series of long downward-pointing barbs chiselled out of opposite sides and faces.
There are 2 large barbs of double thickness at the base of ths section, pointing upward on either side of the shank, with 2 grooves around the body below, then a circular socket that expands slightly towards its base, with a closed seam running up the front.
The base of the blade has been decorated with a pair of oblique lines on either side, and the socket with a narrow band of crosshatching running down the centre of the upper part, also on either side.
The square sectioned shank in between has been more heavily decorated, with a series of shallow notches cut into the edge opposite the barbs, then a line running down the length of the body just inside this edge.
The remaining space is divided up in 4 sections by pairs of horizontal lines; the top 2 of these are filled with crosshatching, while the lower sections have a central line with oblique hatching extending from it in a feather design.
This pattern is repeated on both faces.
The remaining part of this section, divided by 2 grooves, is covered with vertical hatching all the way round the body.
The object is complete and intact, with slight edge damage around the blade and traces of what may be rust on one side; it is currently a metallic gray colour (Pantone 877C).
It has a weight of 279.2 grams and is 411 mm long, with a blade length of 144 mm, width of 32.3 mm and thickness of 2.6 mm; the shank is 12.8 mm wide and 11.3 mm thick, and the socket has a base diameter of 18.3 by 17.8 mm.
Owned, and possibly collected by W.B. Chamberlain who donated this spearhead to the Pitt Rivers Museum in August 1913. It is said to be from the ‘Upper Nile’.
The long barbs on this spearhead might suggest that it was intended for use in hunting game, where the intent would be to keep the weapon seated in the wound.
Rachael Sparks 30/9/2005.
Owned, and possibly collected by W.B. Chamberlain who donated this spearhead to the Pitt Rivers Museum in August 1913. It is said to be from the ‘Upper Nile’.
The long barbs on this spearhead might suggest that it was intended for use in hunting game, where the intent would be to keep the weapon seated in the wound.
Rachael Sparks 30/9/2005.
Primary Documentation:
Accession Book Entry
[V, p.
57] - 1913 [pencil insert] 27 [end insert]
W.B.
CHAMBERLAIN
, Esq., 37 First Avenue, Hove, Sussex.
Aug[ust] [pencil insert] 2 [end insert] - Barbed iron spear-head, Upper Nile, A[NGLO].
E[GYPTIAN].
Sudan.
Card Catalogue Entry - There is no further information on the tribes catalogue card [RTS 30/1/2004].
Pitt Rivers Museum label - Spear-head, UPPER NILE. A.-E. SUDAN. Pres. by W.B. Chamberlin [sic], 1913 [rectangular metal-edged tag, tied to object; RTS 24/6/2005].
Card Catalogue Entry - There is no further information on the tribes catalogue card [RTS 30/1/2004].
Pitt Rivers Museum label - Spear-head, UPPER NILE. A.-E. SUDAN. Pres. by W.B. Chamberlin [sic], 1913 [rectangular metal-edged tag, tied to object; RTS 24/6/2005].
