Archaeology

Cast of original discovered in 1908 at the palace of Phaistos in Crete. At some point after 2000 BC writing reached Crete. Where it came from (Egypt or Mesopotamia), is not known. The writing on the Phaistos disk consists of hieroglyphs or picture writing, but these are unintelligible. Contemporary with the Phaistos disk is Linear A a script of simple abstract sounds which has also not been decoded. A third writing system, Linear B, has been deciphered and represents an early form of Greek. Approximately 1700 BC

Complete sinker with shallow transverse lashing groove

Broken adze (cutting edge remaining). Stone. Dark grey. Cross-section is oval. Surface is ground. Butt not present. Cutting edge is sharp and curved, heavily chipped. Wakapatu written on back.

Silcrete core that is mid grey and dark grey in colour. It has flake scars across the surface, a small hole and a small section of cortex on one side.

Porcellanite core that is mid brown and dark brown in colour. It has flake scars, and a section of cortex present on one side.

Silcrete core that is dark brown and cream in colour. There is no cortex present.

Silcrete core that is dark purple and dark grey in colour. There is one section of the cortex present on one side.

Complete pounamu adze. Surface is ground smooth. Sawing marks on proper right side. Bevel is demarcated by a diagonal line. Cutting edge is curved and sharp.