Carved stone ball

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This carved stone ball was found at Herschel Hill 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 quartzite sandstone ball has been carved with four projecting knobs. Carved stone balls have been found with as many as 160 knobs, but six is the most common number, followed by four.

Carved stone balls are distinctly Scottish objects, with over 425 known, all but a handful found in Scotland. The majority have been found between the Moray Firth and the River Tay, especially in Aberdeenshire. At least three have been found at Fordoun.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-338-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 76
• Date: Between 3200 and 2500 BC
  
• Material: Quartzite
  Ball
  
• Dimensions: 2.63" Dia
  
• What: Ball
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Kincardineshire, Fordoun, Herschel Hill
  
• Event:
• Description: Ball of quartzite sandstone from Herschel Hill, 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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