A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - Many say they are hoaxes, but if that's true, why are they kept in museums as valuable objects?
These strange artifacts are symmetrical in design, very skillfully manufactured, and of an unknown origin. They appear to be relatively modern in form, but they are not.
They were found mainly in Scotland and a few of them in England and Ireland.
Archaeologists say these carved stone balls date to approximately 4000 BC and are made of various stones ranging from sandstone to granite.
Five carved stone balls from Scotland (AN1927.2727-2731). Credits: Ashmolean Museum
They are all of a relatively similar size and decorated with carved evenly-spaced patterns of circular bosses or knobs around the surface of the sphere. Their designs vary, but the majority are a series of six bosses, though the number of bosses can be from 3 to 160.
Particularly interesting are those unearthed at the Neolithic site at Skara Brae, one of Orkney's most famous ancient sites dating from the late Neolithic - inhabited for around 600 years, between 3200BC and 2200BC.
Three-hundred and seventy-five of these balls are with a diameter of about 70mm, and there are also 12 large balls of 90-114mm.
Some are carved with four or six knobs plain and decorated, seven knobs, eight or even 33 knobs; their decorations are also varied. Many have complex spiral patterns or cross-hatching on the faces.
Credits: Aberdeen University Museum
Credits: Aberdeen University Museum
Credits: Aberdeen University Museum
However, despite their numbers, very little is known about carved stone balls, and their purpose is still unknown. They do not have any signs of use, and their specific function has never been determined. Very few of the balls were found damaged.
Did they have a symbolic meaning? Did they symbolize prestige and power? Could the artifacts be linked to a much earlier, undocumented time in the history of life on Earth?
One thing is sure - those who manufactured these artifacts must have possessed relatively advanced technology.
Written by – A. Sutherland AncientPages.com Staff Writer
Updated on August 1, 2022
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