By NATASHA HARRIS
A stone hammer given to a Tauranga opportunity shop is now a treasured artefact of the local museum after it was discovered to be a rare Maori tool up to 300 years old.
The 40cm-long hammer was brought in to the Salvation Army Family Store a month ago in a box of clothing.
Staff gave the 3kg hammer to the museum.
Tauranga Museum poutiaki taonga (Maori collections head) Dean Flavell said he had never seen anything like it and he wanted the donor to come forward so they could learn about the tool's history.
"These wood-handle and stone-head hammers are very rare, others were found in the 18th century, so it's great to have it. It's a huge asset to Tauranga and to the museum."
The handle is made of maire, a timber favoured by early Maori to make tool handles, and the stone is volcanic.
The tool is unique as a cut had been made to join the stone to the handle. Flax was used for binding.
It would have been used either for building or for beating fibres, he said.
It will take about two months to find the exact age of the hammer as it needs to be compared with others in museums around the country.
The hammer will be exhibited when the new museum is built.
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