Carved stone ball

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This carved stone ball was found at Newburgh in Fife. It dates from between 3200 and 2500 BC. Many functions have been suggested for these objects. Whatever their function, they were prestigious possessions, symbols of power.

The sandstone ball has been carved with six projecting knobs, but one has broken off. The knobs are decorated with incised lines and dots. Carved stone balls have been found with as many as 160 knobs, but six is the most common number.

Carved stone balls are distinctly Scottish objects, with over 425 known, all but a handful found in Scotland. They are remarkably similar in size and are decorated with knobs carved in relief or with incised spirals, circles or other patterns. Some, such as this example, have both types of decoration.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-331-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.AS 42
• Date: Between 3200 and 2500 BC
  
• Material: Sandstone; five projecting discs, the sixth broken off; with incised lines and dots
  Ball
  
• Dimensions: 3.00" D
  
• What: Ball
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Fife, Newburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Carved stone ball from Newburgh, Fife
  
• References:
  • Calder, Jenni. The wealth of a nation. Edinburgh: National Museums of Scotland and Glasgow: Richard Drew Publishing, 1989, 18-9. 
  • Marshall, D.N. Carved stone balls. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 108 (1976-7), pp 40-72. 
  • Ritchie, Graham and Ritchie, Anna. Scotland. Archaeology and early history. London: Thames and Hudson, 1981, p 46.
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