Harpoon embedded in whale bone from Ulsan to become national folk heritage

A harpoon made from deer antler, found embedded in whale bone, is poised to become South Korea's first national folk cultural heritage item from the prehistoric era related to production and livelihood.

The artifact, held by the Ulsan Museum, dates back to the Neolithic period between 4000 and 3000 BCE. It offers a detailed glimpse into the lifestyle, hunting techniques, and tool-making skills of the time on the Korean Peninsula. Deer antlers, known for their hardness, were commonly used for hunting tools.

Discovered in 2010 during road construction in Ulsan, the harpoon was found alongside other relics like pottery and fishing net weights. The specific find includes a deer antler harpoon embedded in a whale's shoulder bone and another in its tail bone. The harpoon in the tail bone measures 2.8 cm long with a 0.7 cm diameter, while the one in the shoulder bone is 4.4 cm long with a 0.8 cm diameter. The whale bones themselves are substantial, measuring 33.4 cm by 20 cm for the tail bone and 48.8 cm by 23.5 cm for the shoulder bone.

The Cultural Heritage Administration highlighted the rarity of finding harpoons still embedded in whale bones, both domestically and internationally. This direct evidence of tool purpose, usage, and the hunting target holds significant historical and academic value. It supports the view that whaling depicted in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Bangudae Petroglyphs in Ulsan are not mere symbolic or ritualistic representations, but records of daily life.

The administration plans to finalize the designation after a public opinion period ending next month and a review by the Cultural Heritage Committee.

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The harpoon made of deer antler embedded in whale bone.