“Unique” and “deadly” are the terms used by archaeologists to describe the special artifacts recently unearthed on Sulawesi Island in Indonesia.
According to a publication in the journal Antiquity, these artifacts include exceptional blades made from tiger shark teeth and represent the oldest evidence in the world of using shark teeth as weapons.
With their age and unique craftsmanship, these two blades are invaluable treasures.
Two tiger shark tooth blades discovered in Indonesia, alongside ancient weapons from Hawaii, suggest potential applications – (Photo: THE CONVERSATION/BRITISH MUSEUM)
The artifacts were discovered during a collaborative research project between the Human Evolution Research Center at Griffith University (Australia), Hasanuddin University, and the National Research and Innovation Agency – BRIN (Indonesia).
They have shed light on a mysterious society that lived in the southwestern part of Sulawesi Island around 8,000 years ago. While it is known that such a community existed in Indonesia, details about their way of life, subsistence methods, and the timeline of their disappearance remain unanswered.
A complete tooth was found in Leang Panninge Cave, featuring two holes drilled through the root. The other was found in Leang Bulu’Sipong 1 Cave, with one hole and partially broken, leading scientists to believe it may have also had two holes.
According to The Conversation, tests on the edges of the teeth indicate they were used for stabbing, cutting meat, and scraping flesh and bones. The damage observed is significantly greater than the natural wear typical of shark teeth in the wild, suggesting that the stabbing, cutting, and scraping actions were performed by humans.
The holes and markings on the teeth also indicate that ancient people here used tiger shark teeth as blades, attaching them to other tools.
This hints at some more recent weapons found in other coastal communities, such as in Hawaii, where one or more teeth were attached to a handle. Despite this, the craftsmanship applied to the tiger shark teeth in Indonesia remains unique.
Considering various factors, scientists believe that the shark tooth blades in Indonesia were used in a ceremonial tool or in conflict, implying that the horrific marks on the blades could have been inflicted on humans rather than animal flesh.
Findings from around the world show that sharks played a crucial role in the history of many communities. They were hunted not only for food but also to provide materials for crafting weapons, jewelry, and ritual tools.
The archaeological treasures in Indonesia date back a record 7,000 years, while other artifacts observed globally have the longest dating of 5,000 years.
In addition to Indonesia and Hawaii, shark tooth tools have also been excavated on several islands in Papua New Guinea and Brazil.
