X-Ray Tomography and Infrared Spectrometry for the Analysis Of Throwing Sticks and Boomerangs

Abstract

Throwing sticks, including boomerangs as a subclass, are prehistoric objects as old as humanity. They have endured on many continents in different forms, uses, and traditions of manufacture. Numerous different approaches have been used to study them. Many studies of throwing sticks are dominated by morphological determination and focused on Australian objects which have been classified by the origin of their cultural area on this continent (Davidson, 1936; Jones, 1996). However, few authors give importance to a fairly complete record of Australian Aboriginal throwing stick and boomerang features (Turck, 1952; Callahan, 1999).

Keywords

• boomerang
• weapon
• newer era
• newest era
• australia