Description
Māori are the people who inhabited New Zealand when it was discovered by Europeans. Their language is also called Māori. According to their tradition, they are not the original inhabitants—they arrived in New Zealand several centuries before Europeans, where they displaced the original inhabitants. The word Māori means "ordinary" or "common person" in Māori. The word also appears in other Polynesian languages, such as "maoli" in Hawaiian and "Maohi" in Tahitian, meaning "original," "real." The official spelling is Māori. The name Māori is also used to describe the people and language of the Cook Islands. Nephrite is a mineral with a dense, felted actinolite. Its chemical composition is Ca2(Mg,Fe)5[(OH,F)(Si4O11)]2. The name is derived from the Ancient Greek word nephros, meaning "kidney." Nephrite has been known since ancient times, as demonstrated by numerous archaeological finds. Nephrite's toughness makes it suitable for making tools. Later, it was used to make decorative objects. In Babylon, nephrite was highly prized because it was attributed with magical powers. In China, nephrite held great mythological significance and was used in religious ceremonies. Even before the arrival of Columbus, it was highly prized in Central America. According to the Sumerians, nephrite was capable of resolving unexpected circumstances. It was claimed to treat kidney ailments and renal colic. Nephrite is more common in nature than jadeite. Sometimes it forms large blocks. In Russia, stones weighing over 5 tons have been found. In Burma, a nephrite block weighing 30 tons has even been found. Historically significant deposits are located in China, around Khotan in the Sinkiang Province, in the Kunlun Mountains, and in the vicinity of Kashgar. Cat's-eye nephrites are found in Taiwan and Jordan. In the United States, nephrite is found in Brazil, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, and Alaska. Significant deposits are known in New Zealand. The Maori mined nephrite before the arrival of Europeans, specifically in Arakuara and at Lake Wakapitu. These stones are translucent and considered the finest nephrite in the world. Smaller deposits have been documented in Australia, Kazakhstan, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Ireland.
