Photo. Boomerangs displayed in the museum in Kierikki Stone Age Centre. © Travel Explorations.
A boomerang is a simple small stick of wood used for various purposes, but it has been quite useful around in the world for hunting, religious and recreational activities. Their origin is still unknown. One thing is sure: they have been wide spread around the world. For example has research has shown that ancient tribes in Europe used special throwing axes.
The boomerangs on the photo above have been found in shallow water near the settlements around Kierikki north in Finland. Researchers believe that boomerangs were used mainly for hunting ducks for around 2000 – 3000 years ago. I have always been fascinated about boomerangs, and I wonder if these boomerangs were so advanced as the Aborigines designed them? Could they return to it point of origin thrown in the right way?
There are many types of boomerangs and throwing sticks around the world. They are shaped in different ways. The name of the boomerang derives from the Indigenous Australian Turuwal tribe of Aborigines who lived south of Sydney. Aborigines have used boomerangs for many thousands of years. They become especially famous for their design and technique of throwing of boomerangs which made them return to its point of origin. For making returning boomerangs, they need to consist of two or more arms or wings, connected at an angle.
| Photo. An excavation near Kierikki Stone Age Centre. © Travel Explorations. |
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The Stone Age in Kierikki is located on the banks of the River Iijoki. It’s well hided in the forest circa 50 kilometres north for Finland’s sixth largest city Oulu. The Kierikki area is in the middle of an extensive Stone Age settlement area. Between the 1960's and 2000, hundreds of dwellings were found and nearly twenty were excavated producing thousands of finds from the Neolithic period (5000-3000 BC). In 1993 researchers discovered remains of a few dozen Stone Age Kuuselankangas dwellings in the area.
| Photo. The reconstructed Stone Age Village at Kierikki Stone Age Centre. © Travel Explorations. |
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I had a wonderful journey time back in Finland`s stone age in Kierikki, and I still wonder how people lived in the past, especially how they used boomerangs. Boomerangs are still popular around the world, but for other purposed than in the Stone Age. Today boomerangs are most used as sporting items. There is a world cup held every second year, so I also wonder how the Stone Age people have performed if they could have participated.
Stein Morten Lund, 28 July 2007
Additional information
Address: Kierikki Stone Age Centre, Yli-Ii, Finland.
- Kierikkicenter, Pahkalantie 447, 91200 Yli-Ii.
Phone Customer service: +358-8-8170 490
E-mail: asiakaspalvelu@kierikki.fi
Website: www.kierikki.fi
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Here you will find articles about a big ancient stone circle, Santa Claus, wildlife, party life and more.
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