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Hawaiians made good use of materials from their natural world.
Shark's teeth made excellent carving tools and fearsome weapons.
Simple tools used 1 or 2 teeth, some weapons used more.
This awesome one of 42 tiger shark teeth, studded on carved koa,
would frighten any enemy. The weapon was probably carried into battle
by a high-ranking chief. It was found recently at Warwick Castle, England,
and may have been collected during Captain Cook's expedition in Hawai‘i .
Gift: Hemmeter Corporation, 1991.
BISHOP MUSEUM
The State Museum of Natural and Cultural History
For Museum Information, call (808) 847-3511