During the Black War of 1828–32, the colonial government declared martial law on the island's Aboriginal population. In retaliation the Tasmanian Aboriginal resistance fighters would carry a number of spears with them to fight the invaders. Sometimes, when approaching a dwelling, they would appear unarmed – but were not, instead dragging spears along the ground between their toes. This Tasmanian spear was found in the body of a ploughman, in the Apsley region on the state's east coast. more...
As well as using short stabbing spears – such as this one – for close fighting, the Tasmanian Aborigines also used very long, slender spears for hunting and fighting. Made from young Leptospermum or Melaleuca saplings, they were deadly over long distances.
Spears were used by Aboriginal people throughout Australia – before and after colonisation – and were designed to serve many different purposes. For penetrating the skin and killing fast-moving animals, such as kangaroos, spears were made from strong hardwood, with stone that was shaped into a point and attached to the spear with resin and string or sinew. Fishing spears were made from lighter materials and often had several barbed points; in northern Australia, for example, bamboo was used to make the barbs. Fighting spears were made from hard woods and also had barbs on them so that they could not be removed (to remove the barb the spear had to be pushed right through the skin).
To make the spears pliable, and to straighten the shafts and harden the spear tip, the wood would be slowly passed through a fire. When the spears were finished, they would be rubbed with charcoal and fat to give the appearance of being varnished.
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