Obsidian from Mayor Island

Obsidian from Mayor Island

Obsidian is a volcanic glass and was prized as a cutting material in a world without metal. Mayor Island was the largest single site of obsidian in New Zealand, and its Māori name, Tūhua, is also the Māori word for obsidian. The mineral is found at places from the Kermadecs in the north, to the bottom of the South Island. This cutting implement, made from Mayor Island obsidian, was found at Cape Maria van Diemen in Northland.