Boomerangs and stone tools – Eva Martellotta

Archaeologist Eva Martellotta has been investigating the use of hardwood boomerangs to modify the edges of stone tools. An analysis of ethnographic reports over the past 170 years has revealed that Australian Aboriginal communities were using boomerangs to modify the edges (thus, the function) of stone tools. An experiment using replicas of both boomerangs and stone tools left some peculiar use marks on the surfaces of the boomerangs. Those marks are comparable with the ones identified on the boomerangs coming from the collection in the Australian Museum. Anyone with knowledge in this or a related field is encouraged to contact Ms Martellotta. See her Member’s Interests page.

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