Carved stone ball

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This carved stone ball was probably found in Perthshire. 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 ball is unfinished. Two knobs have been marked out on the well-shaped sphere.

Carved stone balls are distinctly Scottish objects, with over 425 known, all but a handful found in Scotland. A few unfinished examples, such as this one, provide evidence on the techniques used in their carving. The stone was first shaped into a sphere, and then the decoration incised.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-395-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 183
• Date: Between 3200 and 2500 BC
  
• Material: Unfinished
  Ball, carved
  
• Dimensions: 2.63" Dia
  
• What: Ball, carved
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Perthshire
  
• Event:
• Description: Carved ball, possibly from Perthshire
  
• 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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