New Zealand
The Maori people of New Zealand created a number of stone spheres, some of which were used as part of their traditional games and other cultural practices. These spheres are known as "matakupenga," and were often carved from basalt or other volcanic rock. New Zealand - The Moeraki Boulders are a collection of large, spherical stones found on Koekohe Beach on the Otago coast. They are believed to have formed through a natural process, but their unique shape and size make them resemble man-made stone spheres.
The Moeraki Boulders are a collection of large, spherical stones found on Koekohe Beach on the Otago coast of New Zealand. These boulders are unusual due to their size, shape, and number, and have become a popular tourist attraction in the region. The boulders range in size from a few centimeters to over two meters in diameter, and many are perfectly round or slightly oval-shaped.
The Moeraki Boulders are believed to have formed naturally through a process of concretion, in which layers of sediment and minerals build up around a central nucleus, resulting in a spherical or oval-shaped rock. The boulders are made of a type of mudstone called septarian concretions, which contains a high amount of calcite.
Notable researchers who have studied the Moeraki Boulders include:
Brian Mason - an American mineralogist who studied the composition and formation of the boulders in the 1950s. He suggested that the boulders formed through a process of concretion and that the spherical shape was due to the uniform distribution of minerals within the rock.
John McCraw - a New Zealand geologist who conducted extensive research on the formation and origin of the Moeraki Boulders. He suggested that the boulders were formed around 60 million years ago during the Paleocene epoch, when the area was covered by a shallow sea.
Hamish Campbell - a New Zealand geologist who has conducted research on the geology and history of New Zealand. He has suggested that the Moeraki Boulders are one of the most iconic geological features of the country and have played an important role in shaping the region's cultural and natural history.
Apart from the Moeraki Boulders, there are several other examples of stone spheres found in New Zealand. These include:
Kaimanawa wall - a series of large, rectangular stones found in the Kaimanawa Range in the North Island of New Zealand. The stones are believed to have been arranged in a wall-like structure and were likely created by the prehistoric Maori people who inhabited the area.
Hinuera stone balls - small, spherical stones found in the Hinuera Valley in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The stones are believed to date back to the early Polynesian settlement of New Zealand and were likely used as game pieces or for other ceremonial purposes.
The Marokopa Stone - a large, spherical stone found in the Marokopa River in the Waitomo region of New Zealand. The stone is believed to have been created by natural processes and has become a popular tourist attraction in the region.
Ngapuhi Stone Balls - small, spherical stones found in the Bay of Islands region in the North Island of New Zealand. The stones are believed to have been created by the prehistoric Maori people and were likely used as game pieces or for other ceremonial purposes.
Overall, the stone spheres found in New Zealand provide valuable insights into the history and culture of the prehistoric Maori people who inhabited the region, as well as the geological processes that have shaped the landscape over time.