A coolamon is an everyday object used by the women of aboriginal tribes. They used them mainly to carry water, fruit and nuts, or to carry their infants. In common with many other civilisations around the world, women carried this basket on their heads if they had to travel long distances. An akartne (a ring) made of possum, plaited human hair, grass leaves or feathers was placed on the women's heads to act as a buffer between them and the coolamon. Over shorter distances, the women carried this basket under their arm. Coolamons, although one of the most important possessions of Aboriginal women, were made by men. They were often made from mallee (a small eucalyptus tree). A piece of bark was removed from the tree and then worked over the fire to give it its distinctive shape. A piece of wood was then positioned at the ends so that the basket did not lose its acquired shape. It was also engraved with lines on the outside, before being left to rest for a few days. Many of these coolamons are also painted and decorated. The coolamon in question is painted and engraved on the outside. The engravings represent paths in the desert. Paths that lead to waterholes represented by circles on the coolamon. Coolamons are generally between 30 and 70 centimetres long.