Ticia VerveerAug 9, 2023

This intricately decorated black stone ball was found in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The carved ball has an average diameter of 73mm and weighs just over 500g. It dates back over 5000 years and has four discs or knobs, of which three are intricately carved and the fourth is blank.
Over 400 carved stone balls are now known, mainly from Scotland, made from a variety of stone. Few have archaeological contexts and their purpose is still unknown.

https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-collections/stories/scottish-history-and-archaeology/towie-ball/?fbclid=IwAR0T7zXm1KTG3aRkqtRgCvreYSrf1ZkmkofcP3Pn2exlP8lKCsgHFdRwncQ

Towie ball

This beautiful carved stone ball was found in Aberdeenshire. People have long wondered about what it was and how it was used, but it had clearly been a precious possession and a symbol of power.

National Museums Scotland
Show threadTicia VerveerAug 9, 2023
The Carved Stone Balls of Scotland. Who made them, and why?
By Jeff Nisbet https://www.academia.edu/27318956/The_Carved_Stone_Balls_of_Scotland_Who_made_them_and_why?fbclid=IwAR2OR8hzquDuVu3v_BP-fl16IRfp4VrRh5t10wnb2o-7dlFiuCpTweaiA9Y
The Carved Stone Balls of Scotland: Who made them, and why?

Only about 400 of Scotland’s 4,000-year-old carved stone balls have been found. They are of fairly uniform size, with the diameters of most measuring around 2.75 inches. Fitting nicely within the cupped hand, they are made from a variety of stone --

Show threadArdentArchivist

@TiciaVerveer

Oh, thank you - will add to my reading list!

Aug 9, 2023 at 4:07pmMetatext