Painted pebbles

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These eight painted pebbles were found at brochs at Keiss in Caithness (five examples), at the Broch of Burrian on North Ronaldsay in Orkney, and at Jarlshof on Shetland. They date from between 200 and 800 AD.

The pebbles have been painted with a variety of designs.

Painted pebbles have been found at a number of Pictish sites in northern Scotland. Several functions have been suggested, including playing pieces, sling bolts decorated with emblems or messages, cult objects or charm stones.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-988-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HSA 4107
• Date: Between 200 and 800 AD
  
• Material: Quartzite, brown; painted in dark brown with line round edge; on one face seven dots with a meandering line, other face similar but less distinct
  Quartzite, white; small; decorated with dark brown dots
  Stone; painted
  Stone; painted
  Stone; painted
  Stone; painted
  Stone; small; rounded; unutilised
  Pebble
  Pebble
  Pebble
  Pebble
  Pebble
  Pebble
  Pebble
  
• Dimensions: 1.10" x 1.05" x 0.65"
  2.40" x 2.00" x 0.90"
  
• What: Pebble
  Pebble
  Pebble
  Pebble
  Pebble
  Pebble
  Pebble
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Caithness, Keiss
  Scotland, Caithness, Keiss
  Scotland, Caithness, Keiss
  Scotland, Caithness, Keiss
  Scotland, Orkney, North Ronaldsay, Burrian
  Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
  Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
  
• Event:
• Description: Painted pebble from Keiss, Caithness
  Painted pebble from Keiss, Caithness
  Painted pebble from Keiss, Caithness
  Painted pebble from Keiss, Caithness
  Small rounded pebbles from Burrian
  Brown quartzite pebble painted in dark brown with a line round the edge, with seven dots with a meandering line on one face and a similar but less distinct pattern on the other, from Jarlshof
  Small white quartzite pebble decorated with dark brown dots, from Jarlshof
  
• References:
  • MacGregor, Arthur. The Broch of Burrian, North Ronaldsay, Orkney. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 105 (1972-4), pp 63-118, esp. pp 95-6, 112. 
• Translations:
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