The Power of Aboriginal Weapons: The First Biomechanics Study
Precision in Design and Impact: Indigenous Tools Put to the Test
In a fascinating study, modern biomechanics technology has provided the first scientific evaluation of the lethality of two iconic Aboriginal weapons. The study, published in Scientific Reports1, focuses on the kodj—a combination axe, hammer, and poker—and the paired leangle and parrying shield, long used by Indigenous Australian warriors.
These weapons, while familiar to the communities that have wielded them for centuries, had never been subjected to detailed scientific analysis. Collaborating with the team behind First Weapons, a television series aired by ABC, researchers employed state-of-the-art biomechanical tools to measure the energy, speed, and overall efficiency of these tools in combat.
Historical Context of the Kodj and Leangle
The kodj, a remarkable weapon originating from the Nyoongar peoples of southwestern Australia, stands as one of the earliest tools used on the continent. Archaeological findings2 have confirmed that axe-like tools date back over 44,000 years, making the kodj one of the most ancient weapons still known today. The weapon itself is a blend of a cutting and bludgeoning instrument, with a blade that can be pivoted to strike in any direction3.
This study utilized a kodj crafted by Larry Blight, a Menang Noongar man. His kodj, made of wattle wood and a sharpened stone blade, was essential in the biomechanical tests that followed. The leangle, paired with a parrying shield, is another historic weapon used by Indigenous peoples of southeastern Australia. Though harder to date due to its wooden construction, it is known to have been a key element in close-quarter combat across generations.
Biomechanics Testing: Unveiling Hidden Power
Prior to this study, there was no existing research measuring human or weapon efficiency during strikes with hand-held weapons. The testing relied on wearable sensors that tracked the kinetic energy, velocities, and body movements associated with each weapon. These sensors allowed researchers to assess the shoulder, elbow, and wrist mechanics of wielding both the kodj and the leangle.
The findings revealed that the leangle delivered more devastating strikes, capable of causing significant injury with a single blow. However, the kodj was shown to be more efficient for rapid movement, particularly in one-on-one combat. Its adaptability allowed warriors to strike in various directions, enhancing its versatility.
Insights into Cultural Conflict and Weaponry
While these weapons were often used in violent confrontations between Indigenous groups, they also served roles in ritualized conflict and dispute resolution. Instances of “trial by ordeal,” where accused individuals faced projectiles or direct blows, were sometimes mediated by these tools, with shields often providing protection against fatal outcomes.
Historical records suggest that while some conflicts led to injury, death was not always the intended result. The biomechanical data gathered through this research helps clarify the types of injuries found in ancient skeletal remains, such as fractures that resulted from parrying blows with shields or direct weapon strikes.
Global Implications: Design Meets Human Force
The study’s results contribute to a broader understanding of how cultures around the world have meticulously designed tools for survival and warfare. While weapon design plays a critical role in efficiency, the ultimate factor remains the human behind the tool. The strength, skill, and technique of the person wielding the kodj or leangle determined its lethality.
The research marks a milestone in the study of Indigenous weapons, combining centuries of traditional knowledge with cutting-edge biomechanical technology. As the study concluded, it is clear that these tools are not only iconic symbols of Aboriginal history but also highly effective instruments of warfare that continue to fascinate and inform modern scientific inquiry.
Diamond, L. E., Langley, M. C., Cornish, B., Pizzolato, C., & Saxby, D. J. (2024). Aboriginal Australian weapons and human efficiency. Scientific Reports, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76317-w
Hiscock, P., O’Connor, S., Balme, J., & Maloney, T. (2016). World’s earliest ground-edge axe production coincides with human colonisation of Australia. Australian Archaeology, 82(1), 2–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/03122417.2016.1164379
Davidson, D. S., & McCarthy, F. D. (1957). The Distribution and Chronology of Some Important Types of Stone Implements in Western Australia. Anthropos, 52(3/4), 390–458. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40454078