Small bone ball

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This small bone ball was found at Kettleburn in Caithness. It was probably a blank, ready to be carved into a pinhead or a playing piece. The object dates from sometime between 200 BC and 400 AD.

The ball was made from a polished femur (thighbone).

The convenient shapes and qualities of some animal bones made them ideal for certain kinds of objects and ornaments. Some parts needed little or no modifying to produce tools, as in this case.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-529-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GI 34
• Date: 200 BC - 400 AD
  Between 200 BC and 400 AD
  
• Material: Bone; circular; polished
  Ball
  
• Dimensions: 1.00" D
  
• What: Ball
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Caithness, Kettleburn
  
• Event:
• Description: Polished bone ball from Kettleburn, Caithness, 200 BC - 400 AD
  
• References:
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