Carved stone ball

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This carved stone ball was found at Turriff 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 stone ball has six large projecting knobs.

Carved stone balls are distinctly Scottish objects, with over 425 known. Most have been found in Aberdeenshire. They are similar in size. Many, as this example, have stone knobs, with six the most common number.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-033-219-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.AS 68
• Date: Between 3200 and 2500 BC
  
• Material: Stone; with six projecting knobs
  Ball
  
• Dimensions: 3.00" D
  
• What: Ball
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Turriff
  
• Event:
• Description: Carved stone ball from Turriff
  
• References:
  • Calder, Jenni. The wealth of a nation: in the National Museums of Scotland. Edinburgh: National Museums of Scotland,1989, pp 58-9.
  • Clarke, D.V., Cowie, T.G. & Foxon, Andrew (Eds.). Symbols of power at the time of Stonehenge. Edinburgh: National Museums of Antiquities of Scotland, 1985, pp 59-60
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