Shield
About this object
History of use
Shields are a defensive utensil. Most New Guinea conflicts were ambushes, but formal war could be declared at an appointed place and time. Such battles, sparked by thefts of pigs, women or rarely, land, began with both sides using arrows and spears. It might progress to hand-to hand fighting with clubs etc., but mortality tended to be low in New Guinea war. Shields were a useful defense against flying projectiles.
Cultural context
warfare