Expert: Ralph Salier - 1/29/2006

Question
Hi, Im Bob.
I have 2 kampilan swords from southern phillipines. Ive  done some research and found that these were headhunter swords, probably or the moro tribe. Ive looked at zillions of these kampilans online and they all have wooden or wood w/ silver detail. Mine are ivory. The ivory is showing a lot of decay, which leads me to believe that they are very old. Older than any Ive seen online. my question is this... How can I determine the age of these swords. The indigeonous people kept absolutely no records, so there is no way to establish comparisons that way. Fascinating artifacts.

Answer
Hi Bob.  I answered  the 2nd question first so please for give  the initial parts of the answer.  

At both the Smithsonian and at the Museum of Natural History in Chicago are some of the leading experts in the fields of primative artifacts and weapons.  Digital photos of yours sent to them will be a good starting point.  

I have only one caution, there are many in circulation made for the tourist trade and are made to look old.  These were cerimonial knives and relatively rare in their time due to the difficulty of making them by the artisans. The bone or ivory handles or wooden handles can be dated but these days, plastics can be made to look like many different substances.  So if you discover that these are not real, please don't be too disapointed.