What is this tool used for?

I have a bonus assignment for my history of technology class. I can’t find anyone who has any idea what this tool was used for. The professor even admits he has no idea. Any help would be much appreciated.
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The bottom of the tool has 3 prongs. 2 are stationary and the third rotates by twisting the wood in the middle. Also what ever the person is holding would be parallel with the shaft, not an angle of any kind.

Physics question below?

A communications satellite is in an orbit that is 3.80* 10^7 m directly above the equator. Consider the moment when the satellite is located midway between Quito, Equador, and Belem, Brazil; two cities almost on the equator that are separated by a distance of 4.40* 10^6 m. Find the time it takes for a telephone call to go by the way of satellite between these cities. Ignore the curvature of the earth.