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Harpoon Head

A spear-shaped instrument with a line attached.

Iron harpoon head from a site near Gallichan, Abitibi-Ouest.
Picture : Corporation Archéo-08
Source : Corporation Archéo-08 Collection

Spear shaped hunting tool attached to a line. The tip usually has barbs that will rotate while penetrating the marine animal’s flesh, so it can’t escape.

Quote : Pastore, Ralph T. (1998). “Precontact Peoples Terminology”, from The Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage Website, Department of Archaeology and Department of History, Memorial University of Newfoundland; Revised by James A. Tuck, January 2012. Department of Archaeology and Department of History, accessed in October 2019.