Spinifex resin: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Triodia resin.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Triodia pungens'' stem showing resin coating and accumulation in leaf axils.]] |
[[Image:Triodia resin.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Triodia pungens'' stem showing resin coating and accumulation in leaf axils.]] |
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[[Image:Spinifex grass.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Spinifex (''Triodia'') plant]] |
[[Image:Spinifex grass.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Spinifex (''Triodia'') plant]] |
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'''Spinifex resin''' is a gum coating of some species of [[Triodia (plant)|spinifex]] grasses. |
'''Spinifex resin''' is a gum coating of some species of [[Triodia (plant)|spinifex]] grasses. This sticky resin was traditionally used as an adhesive in tool making by [[Aboriginal Australians]]. Many species of spinifex are extremely resinous, to the extent that resin may drip down the stems and leaves on hot days, and large residual lumps of resin often may be seen at the bases of hummocks which have burned.<ref>[http://www.bio.mq.edu.au/ecology/rice/spinifex.htm Spinifex<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070521194016/http://www.bio.mq.edu.au/ecology/rice/spinifex.htm |date=2007-05-21 }}</ref> |
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==Making the gum== |
==Making the gum== |
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The spinifex is [[threshing|threshed]] until the resin particles fall free. These particles are heated until they fuse together to form a moldable black tar which is worked while warm. When set, this gum is quite strong. |
The spinifex is [[threshing|threshed]] until the resin particles fall free. These particles are heated until they fuse together to form a moldable black tar which is worked while warm. When set, this gum is quite strong. |
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The preparation of spinifex for hafting use is similar to that of ''[[Xanthorrhoea]]''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Bradshaw|first=Fiona|date=2013|title=Chemical characterisation of museum-curated ethnographic resins from Australia and New Guinea used as adhesives, medicines and narcotics|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/2050-7445-1-36|journal=Heritage Science|volume=1|issue=1|pages=36|doi=10.1186/2050-7445-1-36|issn=2050-7445}}</ref> It is thought to have been preferable to ''Xanthorrhoea'' for hafting, due to its ability to be re-heated and remodelled several times without going brittle.<ref name=":0" /> The resin can be re-softened using fire and some moisture. |
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Most historical accounts of resin processing described Aboriginal men doing the work, however several factors suggest that women had a much more significant role in processing resin than the accounts suggest.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=editor.|first=Brown, Steve, 1956- editor. Clarke, Anne, 1959- editor. Frederick, Ursula, 1970-|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1098240199|title=Object stories : artifacts and archaeologists|isbn=978-1-61132-384-9|pages=98|oclc=1098240199}}</ref> |
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==Uses== |
==Uses== |
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Within traditional Aboriginal cultures, the known applications of spinifex resin divide into four broad categories<ref name=":1" />: |
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In areas where appropriate spinifex species grew, many hunting and working implements benefited from the use of spinifex gum or resin. |
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'''1)''' As an adhesive. In areas where appropriate spinifex species grew, many hunting and working implements benefited from the use of spinifex gum or resin a a hafting adhesive:<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nasim Amiralian|date=14 August 2018|title=How a native desert grass can improve tyres, concrete, latex gloves and more|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2018-08-15/nanotechnology-spinifex-desert-grass-making-latex-stronger/10067164|url-status=live|access-date=24 February 2021|website=ABC News}}</ref> |
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* Spinifex resin was often a crucial ingredient in [[spear]]-making, being used to fasten the head onto the shaft. A man would always carry at least one spear, and normally a clump of resin so that repairs could be carried out on it and other utensils. |
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Spinifex resin was a crucial ingredient in [[spear]]-making, as the head was often fastened onto the shaft using this resin. |
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* The base of the [[woomera (spear-thrower)|woomera]] has a clump of this resin attached to it. |
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'''2)''' To make items waterproof. Spinifex resin has been used to [[caulk]] wooden containers for carrying water. |
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'''3)''' To repair holes and cracks in wooden tools and containers. |
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A man would always carry at least one spear, and normally a clump of resin. In the evenings, repairs were carried out on spears and other utensils, and the resin was re-softened using the fire and some moisture. |
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'''4)''' To manipulate into beads, figurines, vessels and other miscellaneous objects. |
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In modern times, in true [[Bush Mechanics]] spirit, spinifex resin can also be melted to repair things like [[jerry can]]s for carrying water and fuel.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 00:15, 25 February 2021
Spinifex resin is a gum coating of some species of spinifex grasses. This sticky resin was traditionally used as an adhesive in tool making by Aboriginal Australians. Many species of spinifex are extremely resinous, to the extent that resin may drip down the stems and leaves on hot days, and large residual lumps of resin often may be seen at the bases of hummocks which have burned.[1]
Making the gum
The spinifex is threshed until the resin particles fall free. These particles are heated until they fuse together to form a moldable black tar which is worked while warm. When set, this gum is quite strong.
The preparation of spinifex for hafting use is similar to that of Xanthorrhoea.[2] It is thought to have been preferable to Xanthorrhoea for hafting, due to its ability to be re-heated and remodelled several times without going brittle.[2] The resin can be re-softened using fire and some moisture.
Most historical accounts of resin processing described Aboriginal men doing the work, however several factors suggest that women had a much more significant role in processing resin than the accounts suggest.[3]
Uses
Within traditional Aboriginal cultures, the known applications of spinifex resin divide into four broad categories[3]:
1) As an adhesive. In areas where appropriate spinifex species grew, many hunting and working implements benefited from the use of spinifex gum or resin a a hafting adhesive:[4]
- Spinifex resin was often a crucial ingredient in spear-making, being used to fasten the head onto the shaft. A man would always carry at least one spear, and normally a clump of resin so that repairs could be carried out on it and other utensils.
- The traditional Aboriginal axe also made strong use of spinifex resin.
- The base of the woomera has a clump of this resin attached to it.
- The resin was also used as a binder when making paint with ochre.[5]
2) To make items waterproof. Spinifex resin has been used to caulk wooden containers for carrying water.
3) To repair holes and cracks in wooden tools and containers.
4) To manipulate into beads, figurines, vessels and other miscellaneous objects.
In modern times, in true Bush Mechanics spirit, spinifex resin can also be melted to repair things like jerry cans for carrying water and fuel.[5]
References
- ^ Spinifex Archived 2007-05-21 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Bradshaw, Fiona (2013). "Chemical characterisation of museum-curated ethnographic resins from Australia and New Guinea used as adhesives, medicines and narcotics". Heritage Science. 1 (1): 36. doi:10.1186/2050-7445-1-36. ISSN 2050-7445.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ a b editor., Brown, Steve, 1956- editor. Clarke, Anne, 1959- editor. Frederick, Ursula, 1970-. Object stories : artifacts and archaeologists. p. 98. ISBN 978-1-61132-384-9. OCLC 1098240199.
{{cite book}}:|last=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Nasim Amiralian (14 August 2018). "How a native desert grass can improve tyres, concrete, latex gloves and more". ABC News. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b http://www.global.greens.org.au/spinifex-4.pdf