Club Head

ClassificationsArms and Armor-clubs-club heads

Dateearly to mid 20th Century

Made AtSouthern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

Collection SiteSouthern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

MediumStone

Dimensions5 3/4 × 1 1/2 × 1 1/2 in. (14.6 × 3.8 × 3.8 cm)

Credit LineAnonymous Gift

Object number2017.10.80

DescriptionThis stone club head was collected from the Southern Highland Province of Papua New Guinea. As is the case in many parts of Melanesia, there is diversity in the types of clubs used throughout the Papua New Guinea. Clubs consisting of a wooden shaft with a ball, disc, spiked or star-shaped stone head slotted onto the end are the most common type of clubs found in the region. The shape of the stone head determines the importance of the club in any given circumstance. Primarily in combat situations, complex pineapple shaped club heads were generally viewed as a superior weapon than disk or ball-shaped stone heads. Clubs are aggressive and often used for off a victim after injury by arrow or spear. Clubs used for warfare in close quarter combat required skill, strength, speed, and agility to wield. These capabilities are valued in many Melanesian cultures and fit in their views of war-waging and concepts of individual worth. It should be noted that not all Solomon Island clubs were for fighting many had ceremonial uses, such as dancing clubs.

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