Carved stone ball

Add to album

This carved stone ball is one of several fancy carved stone objects found at Skara Brae on Orkney. It was a prestige object, and dates from between 3400 and 2000 BC.

The stone ball is covered with 50 pyramid-shaped knobs.

Carved stone balls are a distinctly Scottish object, with over 425 known. Most are similar in size, and a few are decorated. Many functions have been suggested. All that is certain is that they were prestigious possessions, symbols of power.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-040-497-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HA 657
• Date: Between 3400 and 2000 BC
  
• Material: Stone, black; covered with seven encircling rows of pyramidal knobs
  Ball
  
• Dimensions: 2.50" D
  
• What: Ball
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Skaill, Skara Brae
  
• Event:
• Description: Carved stone ball from Skara Brae
  
• References:
  • Clarke, D.V., Cowie, T.G., & Foxon, Andrew (eds). Symbols of power at the time of Stonehenge. Edinburgh: National Museums of Antiquities of Scotland, 1985, pp 59, 245. 
  • Marshall, D.N. Carved stone balls. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 108 (1976-7), pp 40-79. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: