AB 9 a-b, harpoon head, Inuit, fossil ivory, slate, 25 cm, Collection of Glenbow Museum, Calgary, Canada.

Inuit harpoon head

Inuit harpoon head.

Evidence
These are large harpoon heads which would have been used for narwhals and whales. The tips are made from stone with bone and ivory fittings. The hole where the rope is attached is a distance from the tip. This allows for greater penetration before the rope catches. That is why this would have been used on larger whales. The design also prevents the harpoon from cutting itself out of the animals when pressure is applied.

Perspective
n/a

Significance
These weapons are very finely crafted. The added design show a high level of care and craftsmanship.