05 May 2008

The creation of stone spheres



I have often been intrigued by articles describing/picturing large stone spheres - typically discovered in farm or plantation fields in Central America, but also elsewhere in the world. The typical line of inquiry is "how did ancient people craft these stones to such a perfect degree of roundness?"

Today I encountered THIS LINK about a curious beach on the South Island of New Zealand that is peppered with unusual stone formations, including spheres - all obviously naturally made. A little Googling and Wiki exploring revealed that these are called "Moeraki Boulders" and THIS EXCELLENT LINK explains how they form naturally by gradual concretion just like pearls form inside oysters. Fascinating. Disappointing that they weren't carved by ancient master craftsmen, but fascinating nevertheless.

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