Carved stone ball

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This carved stone ball was found at Loch Lochy in Inverness-shire. 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 has been carved with six projecting knobs, one of which is decorated with incised crossed lines. 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. Some were decorated with knobs carved in relief while others have incised spirals, circles or other patterns. Some, such as this example, have both types of decoration.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-321-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 128
• Date: Between 3200 and 2500 BC
  
• Material: Rough
  Ball
  
• Dimensions: smaller than AS 127
  
• What: Ball
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Straiton
  
• Event:
• Description: Ball of rough plain sandstone, from Straiton
  
• 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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