Vatican Museums

This spear-thrower is decorated with a zigzag motif and parallel lines. The spear-thrower is a form of lever allowing the spear to hurl over a greater distance than would otherwise be possible and at the same time achieve greater penetration and accuracy. Spear-throwers are not used everywhere in Australia. Its length varies between 40 and 130 cm: the shortest spear-throwers are found in the subtropical areas of Australia and the longest in tropical areas. The spear-thrower (also called a woomera) consists of a shaped wooden shaft. The hook, which has to receive the end of the spear is made of a light and very hard wood. The resin bulb at the other end is used to improve the grip in order to prevent the spear-thrower slipping out of the hand when hurling the spear. Spear-throwers serve several other functions: in firemaking and as a container for storing and preparing pigments. The stone flint sometimes inserted into the resin bulb also serves as a cutting tool for the manufacture of wooden weapons and as a knife to butcher game.