Carved stone ball

Add to album

This carved stone ball was recorded as being found in a cist burial at Ardkeeling at Strypes in Moray, together with another ball which is now lost. 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 eight projecting knobs. 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, and new ones regularly found. Most are single finds, which makes them difficult to date or to determine their function. This is one of the few which is said to have come from a burial, but few other details about its discovery are known.

Record details

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

• Online ID: 000-180-001-392-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 178
• Date: Between 3200 and 2500 BC
  
• Material: Stone; with eight bosses
  Ball
  
• Dimensions: 2.69" D
  
• What: Ball
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Moray, Strypes, Ardkeeling
  
• Event:
• Description: Carved stone ball from Ardkeeling
  
• 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.
• Translations:
• Related Records: