Carved stone ball

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This carved stone ball was found at Rhynie 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 sandstone ball has been carved with 19 knobs, placed approximately regularly over the surface.

Carved stone balls are distinctly Scottish objects, with over 425 known, all but a handful found in Scotland. They are remarkably similar in size, around 70 mm in diameter. This is one of a small group of larger balls, over 90 mm in diameter, centred in northeast Scotland.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-411-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 204
• Date: Between 3200 and 2500 BC
  
• Material: Sandstone; with nineteen knobs placed approximately regularly over the surface
  Ball
  
• Dimensions: 3.70" D
  
• What: Ball
  
• Subject:
• Who: Rae Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Rhynie
  
• Event:
• Description: Carved stone ball from Rhynie
  
• 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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