How ancient shark-tooth swords uncovered two long-lost species

Biologists spot some peculiar shark teeth among a collection of "badass" weaponry

A 19th Century shark tooth weapon from the Gilbert Islands.
(Image credit: Drew J, Philipp C, Westneat MW (2013))

Biologist Joshua Drew's surprise discovery began as many do: "I just wanted to... look at really cool stuff," he tells The Los Angeles Times. Drew, now a postdoctoral researcher at Columbia University, was with a few colleagues at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago scoping out a new exhibit — a collection of "badass" swords, knives, and lances once used by the inhabitants of the Central Pacific's Gilbert Islands 130 years ago to rip their enemies to shreds.

This particular arsenal wasn't pounded out of iron or steel, though. The 124 flesh-tearing weapons on display had a more biological origin, and were carved out of wood, with each blade edge carefully outfitted with rows of dagger-like shark teeth.

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Chris Gayomali is the science and technology editor for TheWeek.com. Previously, he was a tech reporter at TIME. His work has also appeared in Men's Journal, Esquire, and The Atlantic, among other places. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.