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Carved stone ball

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from Loch Boisdale, South Uist, Outer Hebrides

Carved stone ball
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This carved stone ball was found at Loch Boisdale on South Uist in the Outer Hebrides. 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, of black and white speckled schist, was carved with four low 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, but examples are known from throughout Scotland.

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