Plumbata
Tiro
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Posts: 34
Wyoming
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In my quest to collect and personally study sling projectiles from around the world I've managed to put together a nice assortment of "Indigenous" stones, with those of the Solomon Islands exhibiting almost geometric perfection of form; truly remarkable considering the time it took to peck, grind, and polish down each stone as opposed to the comparatively mass-produced cast lead projectiles of Mediterranean antiquity.
On the left are 4 rough-pecked "flattened lemon" or grain shaped stones from Klamath Lake, Oregon. Very similar in form to the flattened grain shaped lead projectiles of the Classical era Greeks. Likely a product of the Modoc Tribe or related groups/ancestors, 2,000-5,000 years old, 49 to 71 grams and probably used for hunting waterfowl etc along the lake.
The large vesicular basalt stone in the rear is from the Big Island of Hawaii, and at a walloping 609 grams is probably a famed "canoe breaker" type projectile used to blast outriggers, rudders and oarsmen right off incoming war canoes. Smaller more refined biconical stones are known from land battle sites but I've yet to acquire one, the last nice ones I saw went for 500-600 a piece!
Front center with old collection label is a stone of the Chamorro people from Guam, 41 grams.
The 10 stones on the right are from the Solomon Islands, first pick from the artifact collection of an Australian millionaire mogul so they represent an extraordinary selection of different materials including coral, with most exhibiting superb refinement of form and construction and a few clearly having been burned (maybe during a village pillaging or other violent act). Some of these could be as recent as the early 20th century, but others possess the "cortex" patina indicative of a solidly pre-contact age. The big "chieftain's stone" is 145 grams, smallest (mostly hidden behind the big one) just 16 grams.
Thanks for looking and if any of you would like measurements or more info just ask!
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