Carved stone ball

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This carved stone ball was possibly found in Aberdeenshire. 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 ball has been carved into a lemon shape. At each pointed end and at four places round the circumference low projecting knobs were carved. This ball is part of a small, atypical group which are more oval than round in shape, found from Orkney and Aberdeenshire.

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.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-406-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 199
• Date: Between 3200 and 2500 BC
  
• Material: Quartzite
  Ball, lemon-shaped
  
• Dimensions: 3.30" x 2.90" x 2.65"
  
• What: Ball, lemon-shaped
  
• Subject:
• Who: Hemming Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Aberdeenshire
  
• Event:
• Description: Lemon-shaped ball of quartzite, possibly from Aberdeenshire
  
• 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:
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