Carved stone ball

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This carved stone ball was found in Aberdeenshire. It dates from between 3100 and 2500 BC.

The ball has six circular knobs, as is the case with most examples, though one has as many as 160. Two of the knobs have incised concentric lines.

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

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-409-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.AS 78
• Date: between 3100 and 2500 BC
  
• Material: Greenstone; six projecting discs, two with incised concentric lines
  Ball
  
• Dimensions: 2.81" D
  
• What: Ball
  
• Subject:
• Who: Sturrock Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Aberdeenshire
  
• Event:
• Description: Carved stone bal, with six circular knobs, two with incised concentric lines, from Aberdeenshire, between 3100 and 2500 BC
  
• References:
  • Ritchie, Graham and Ritchie, Anna. Scotland. Archaeology and early history. London: Thames and Hudson, 1981, p 46.
• Translations:
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