Highlights of the British Collections: Stone Balls

These decorated stone balls are found in late Neolithic contexts in Scotland (c2000 BC). Over 400 are known; they are made in a range of stones from soft sandstones and serpentine to difficult hard granite and quartzite. Their function is unknown. They may have been symbols of authority, or for use in fortune telling, or art objects.

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the five stone balls
The five stone balls

They are carefully carved with 3D geometric designs showing an understanding of geometry at least a thousand years before we have any written evidence. About half of the balls found have 6 knobs, but they can have from 3-160 knobs.

with 14 knobs stone ball from Aberdeenshire
Stone ball with 14 knobs from Aberdeen (AN1927.2727)
stone ball with 7 knobs from Marnoch, Banff
Stone ball with 7 knobs from Marnoch, Banff (AN1927.2728)
stone ball with 4 knobs from Auchterless, Aberdeenshire
Stone ball with 4 knobs from Auchterless, Aberdeenshire (AN1927.2729)
stone ball with 6 knobs from near Aberdeen
Stone ball with 6 knobs and isosceles triangles between, from near Aberdeen (AN1927.2730)
stone ball with six knobs from Fyvie
Stone ball with 6 knobs and isosceles triangles between, from Fyvie, Aberdeenshire (AN1927.2731)
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© Copyright University of Oxford, Ashmolean Museum, 2006. Last updated: March-2007