Missile

This plain sandstone ball was found at Eldonhaugh in Midlothian. It was used as a missile probably in the 15th or 16th century.

Ball of rough plain sandstone, from Eldonhaugh

Carved stone balls without any decoration are difficult to date or to be certain of their function. Those which are very regular spheres around 60 mm in diameter, sometimes with fine pecking marks all over or with evidence of heating, are most likely to have been missiles. They were used in anti-personnel artillery guns called 'cut-throats' or 'bersis' mainly in the 15th and 16th century AD.

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