Unusual dagger, billfish or bone “blade”?

Ian · 23rd October 2025, 08:34 PM

Athanase, thank you for posting that interesting information. The rostrum is actually a complex organ and it is interesting to read about its possible function in feeding. The bone structure of fish is clearly different from mammalian species. As a retired physician, I'm much more familiar with mammalian physiology and anatomy.

I am surprised by how little "bone" is actually present in these rostra. Cartilage seems to be a common component, perhaps more so than the rigid bony areas. This seems to be borne out by the stress data cited by the authors indicating that the flexibility of these organs can be quite substantial (important in some species to their feeding hypothesis).

However, this discussion seems to have departed some way from the original question of where this item may have been made. Whether a rostrum of a bill fish or a baculum from a walrus, the item would seem to have a nautical connection. By which ethnographic group or in what region of the world it may have been assembled is an interesting question. My vote is for maritime SE Asia.

23rd October 2025, 08:34 PM	#12
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,602	Athanase, thank you for posting that interesting information. The rostrum is actually a complex organ and it is interesting to read about its possible function in feeding. The bone structure of fish is clearly different from mammalian species. As a retired physician, I'm much more familiar with mammalian physiology and anatomy. I am surprised by how little "bone" is actually present in these rostra. Cartilage seems to be a common component, perhaps more so than the rigid bony areas. This seems to be borne out by the stress data cited by the authors indicating that the flexibility of these organs can be quite substantial (important in some species to their feeding hypothesis). However, this discussion seems to have departed some way from the original question of where this item may have been made. Whether a rostrum of a bill fish or a baculum from a walrus, the item would seem to have a nautical connection. By which ethnographic group or in what region of the world it may have been assembled is an interesting question. My vote is for maritime SE Asia.