Weapon Design and Historical Context
The kodj, a multifaceted weapon from the Nyoongar peoples, and the paired leangle and parrying shield from the southeast showcase the ingenuity of Indigenous Australian weapon-making, with designs spanning thousands of years.
Archaeological insights highlight the ancient origins of these weapons, with the kodj's stone components dating back up to 49,000 years and the oldest surviving wooden artifacts, including boomerangs and digging sticks, over 10,000 years old.
Biomechanical Analysis and Findings
Utilizing modern biomechanics technology, researchers measured the striking power and efficiency of the kodj and leangle, revealing the leangle's superior effectiveness in delivering blows compared to the kodj's versatility and maneuverability.
The study, a collaboration between and , not only provides insights into the weapons' mechanics but also contributes to understanding ancient interpersonal violence in Australia, with findings potentially applicable to studying other archaic weapons globally.