Azilian Harpoon

Hunting and fishing weapon

Azilian
14 500 to 11 500 years

Commentary : 

Red deer antler harpoons are armed with distinct, robust, bilateral barbs, designed to penetrate deeply, and then remain lodged in prey.

Unlike earlier Magdalenian harpoons, Azilian harpoons are flat, and have a perforation that allows them to be securely fixed to the weapon’s shaft. These two elements are held together, by a leather or tendon strap, designed to stop the harpooned animal from escaping.

Forested environments emerged, and new animal species appear at the end of the Ice Age. Hunters are forced to diversify their hunting methods, and weaponry. The emergence of the Azilian harpoon is associated with the development of fishing techniques.

This hunting weapon is widely distributed over southwestern Europe, at the end of the Upper Palaeolithic.