Frame of Bone, Stone Gorget and Ivory Fishing Spear Point Artifactsl; "Dickson Museum Toledo Ohio"

Prehistoric / Historic

Ranging From 6.625" L to 3.125" L - Riker Mount Tray - 12.125" H x 8.1875" W

10 Items used for Fishing with a Drilled stone saying "Dickson Museum Toledo Ohio"

In Very Good Condition

Bone, stone, and ivory fishing spear points represent some of the earliest and most versatile tools in human history, used primarily for spearing fish in rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. These artifacts date back to the Paleolithic era (Old Stone Age) and were crafted by hunter-gatherer societies worldwide, including in North America, Africa, Australia, and Europe. They were essential for subsistence fishing, allowing people to catch large or fast-moving aquatic prey that nets or traps couldn't handle. Unlike modern metal spears, these points were hafted (attached) to wooden shafts using sinew, resin, or plant fibers, and their materials were chosen based on local availability, durability, and the need for sharpness or barbs to secure the catch.

These points were often multi-pronged for better chances of hitting fish, and barbs prevented escape. While stone points were common for their hardness, bone and ivory offered flexibility and renewability, especially in resource-scarce environments like the Arctic. Archaeological evidence shows they were used not just for fishing but sometimes adapted for hunting small game.