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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

Plaster cast of a rounded slate knife or pendant. Cast has been broken in two pieces and glued back together. Perforated in the centre of the proximal end, with a curved koru carving on either side of the perforation.

Fragment of a plaster wall with a stamped decoration.

Plaster cast of broken minnow shank with the head remaining. The cross section is triangular. It has a perforation through the peak of the head and one notch on either side of the head, in line with the perforation. It is coloured red.

Complete black minnow lure with triangular cross-section. Perforation at head. Flattened base for lashing, with notches on opposite side.

Complete stone minnow lure shank. Hole through head, small points on shoulder of head. Notches on flat side of base. Cross-section is triangular.

Complete cast of patu paraoa. There is a perforation through the handle, and curved grooves at the butt end.

Cast of a soapstone bowl. Interior of the basin is smooth. Exterior has to facial carvings on each end, depicting eyes, nose and upper lips.

Cast of a waka huia. Two large pieces have broken off either end of the lid, one is missing. Painted dark brown. Rectangular box with double-sided manaia or human figures at each end. The exterior sides of the box are carved with rauru (double spirals). The exterior side of the bottom of the box has a set of four human figures carved down spine, with rauru along either side. Interior of box is undecorated and shallow. The exterior side of the lid has a high relief carving of four figures down the centre line as a handle. The pointed legs of the two end figures double as lid fittings cut into base.

Cast of a waka huia. Painted mid brown. Rectangular in cross section. Lid is flat, with a curved interlocking crescent pattern carved on the exterior surface. Two manaia figures dominate the bottom of the box, sitting parallel from centre with head at end of bottom. Both ends consist of a koruru style head with protruding tongues. Central figure delineates between two manaia figures running from centre of sides to ends. The interior surface of both the box and the lid are uncarved.

Cast of a waka huia. Painted dark brown. Cross section is rectangular. The exterior sides of the box and lid have human and manaia figures and geometric patterns carved throughout. Eyes and other circular grooves are filled with thick silver paint. The box has a three-dimensional figure at each end, with perforations between the limbs. Lid is flat with three curved projections at each end (some of which have broken off) which dovetail into top of base. Inside of base and lid uncarved.

Cast of a nguru. Painted dark brown with silver paint representing paua shell inlay throughout. Two holes on the top side near the proximal end and one at the distal end. Three carved figures on surface; at the neck of the centre figure is an angled perforation for suspension. Eye and geometric carvings around the perimeter of the proximal end.

Cast of double-barrelled pūtōrino. Painted dark brown. Proximal end has a facial carving with protruding tongue. Two holes in centre top of each barrel form the mouths of two opposite-facing carvings. Tapering toward the distal end, with another face carving. Figures have gold paint around their eyes. Six groups of fibre bindings are represented by dark yellow paint.

Plaster cast of a kōrere (feeding funnel). Painted dark brown. Exterior surface is carved with a koru pattern. A manaia figure protrudes from one side of the bowl, with silver painted eyes representing paua shell. A human face protrudes from the other side of the bowl onto the spout. The spout tapers to the distal end. The interior of the bowl has a koru pattern around the rim but is otherwise undecorated.

Complete plaster cast of a tatā (canoe bailer). Painted mid brown. Surface water stain and cracking inside scoop. Handle projects over the scoop, with a carving and two perforations on the butt. Back of the scoop has a wheku figure carving. Cast has been broken and repaired at the base of the handle and on several places on the scoop.

Cast of broken shank with the head and most of the shank remaining. It has a triangular cross-section that is serrated at the tip. There is a perforation through the head and one notch on either side of the head. It is coloured red.

Cast of a whale tooth pendant. Curved to a point at the front distal end. Serrated projections running down both side edges. Facial projection at the front centre at the proximal end with large eyes and a long pointy mouth that curves inward. Curved projections run down the centre below the facial feature. Proximal end is squared off, with a small suspension hole.

Cast of a whale tooth pendant. Curved forward and tapering to a point at the distal end. Proximal end is flat with a notched half-circular projection at the front. One complete and one broken suspension hole, both drilled from each side from the proximal edge to the back. Serrations running down both side edges from the proximal end to the distal end.

Cast of patu onewa. Sides reduced where blade meets handle, forming a shoulder.

Cast of a chevroned whale tooth pendant. Curved forward at the distal end, terminating in a stylized facial feature and three small perforations. Broken curved projections run down each side edge. A serration ridge runs down the centre front. Proximal end is rounded and notched with two suspension holes at the centre.