trap; 捕獸機(Chinese) BM-MAS.796

Period:Han dynasty Production date:1stC BC
Materials:wood, fibre, 木 (Chinese), 纖維 (Chinese),
Technique:twisted, 扭曲的 (Chinese),

Dimensions:Diameter: 15 centimetres

Description:
Animal trap consisting of a ring of fibre wrapped with a twisted rope. Sixteen wooden pointed sticks face inwards. For a full descriptions on how it was used see curator’s comment.
IMG


Comments:Stein (1928 vol.I, addenda et corrigenda P. 421) cites a letter from H. Balfour, curator of the Pitt-Rivers Museum in Oxford. “The principle is this: The spiked wheel is laid over a hole in the ground and concealed. A noose is placed over the wheel, the loop of the noose lying over the ring of the wheel; the other end of the noose-cord being attached either to a tree, or to a log. An animal placing its foot upon the wheel causes the spike to give way, the leg of the beast sinking through into the hole in the ground. The spikes hold firmly upon the beast’s leg, and in endeavouring to shake off the painful, spiky wheel, the noose (which is supported by the wheel) is caused to draw tight and so the beast is held fast – or has to trail a log along as it runs off. Thus the wheel is not in itself the trap, but it functions as an accessory in securing that the noose shall operate, the noose being the real trap.”