Sharks shed and replace their sharp teeth throughout their lifetime. Shark Teeth are drilled and secured with coconut fibre twine in the traditional way not like later examples. A collection of vicious weapons made of shark teeth reveals that two species of sharks vanished from the reefs of Kiribati before scientists even noticed the species were there. A 40 1/2" long sword from the Kiribati culture of the Gilbert islands. Shark Tooth Sword in the Margaret Mead Hall of Pacific Peoples . Examples of these weapons are on view in the Margaret Mead Hall of Pacific Peoples, … NordVPN 2-Year Membership. Figure 3. Calusa shell clubs. Shark-tooth weapons once used for warfare in the Central Pacific have revealed two locally extinct shark species, a new study says.. By Jen Viegas. Shark-Tooth Sword Reveals Lost Species A weapon used in the 19th century could hold clues to the disappearance of a native shark. Item # .AK01 Description .Sharktooth Sword from the Gilbert & Ellice Islands presented by a tribal village to Commissioner P. Karouvic who was with the British High Commission in the islands in the 1950’s.Shaft is made from coconut wood and the teeth are from a Tiger Shark. Shark tooth sword (1870.376.1) This particular object (1870.376.1) is a shark tooth sword (te toanea), and would have been used for hand-to-hand combat. Advertisement. G/O Media may get a commission. These are still up for sale in places like the Republic of Kiribati (Fanning Island or Tabuaeran), sold as a souvenirs (these are not very functional). It is likely made of coconut wood. It is constructed from coconut palm wood with rows of shark teeth attached to the edges by coir, palm-fiber cord. Holes have been drilled through each tooth, and plant fibers are used to attach the teeth to splints along the shaft. Click here for instant savings! Gotta love lateral thinking! Chris Charteris’s work for APT9 consists of 21 singularly designed, functional shark-tooth swords and is both a celebration of the extraordinary resourcefulness and customs that distinguish the Kiribati community, and a finely tempered testament … Based on the condition of the surface, and the cord, the piece is clearly not a modern tourist item, but of significant age, certainly early 20th entury, if not older. Photo: imbrettjackson. Back to the swords, the i-Kiribati defended against the shark-tooth weapons with coconut fiber armor (examples here and here [PDF]). A collection of vicious weapons made of shark teeth reveals that two species of sharks vanished from the reefs of Kiribati before scientists even noticed the species were there. Awesome stuff. Second, this is cool stuff with the shark teeth weapons being used in research like this. I have seen swords that appear to be made from a saw fish... this sword is made of shark teeth set into wood. Shark Tooth Sword, Kiribati. A collection of vicious weapons made of shark teeth reveals that two species of sharks vanished from the reefs of Kiribati before scientists even noticed the species were there. I was told, at one time... they were actually made for functional use. Wooden knives, spears, and swords from the Gilbert Islands (Kiribati) feature rows of shark teeth fastened with coconut fiber cord, designed for cutting and gashing. Shark Tooth Sword Kiribati, Gilbert Islands, Micronesia Whale bone, sharks teeth and coconut fiber 19th century 19.5” tall. Previously in the collection of Richard Kelton, CA.