Carved stone ball

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This carved stone ball was found at Fordoun in Kincardineshire. 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 was decorated with seven sets of concentric circles, each of which has a narrow border of chevrons. One of the sets of circles shown here has been damaged. It is one of two from Fordoun with such decoration.

Carved stone balls are distinctly Scottish objects, with over 425 known, all but a handful found in Scotland. Most have been carved with projecting knobs, but some, such as this one, have incised decoration, usually of spirals, circles or other patterns.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-328-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 29
• Date: Between 3200 and 2500 BC
  
• Material: Sandstone; circular spaces filled with concentric circles
  Ball
  
• Dimensions: 2.75" D
  
• What: Ball
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Kincardineshire, Fordoun
  
• Event:
• Description: Carved stone ball from Fordoun, Kincardineshire
  
• 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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