Carved Stone Ball, Skara Brae, Orkney

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This ancient Neolithic (c.2900-2400 BC) carved stone ball was unearthed on the floor of House 8 at Skara Brae in Sandwick, Orkney. Discovered in 1928 during excavations and conservation efforts led by Prof. Vere Gordon Childe and HM Ministry of Works. The carved stone ball is crafted from a light pinkish red sandstone, but its natural color is concealed by soil and dirt accumulation. One side of the stone has been carefully pecked and ground to create a series of uniform rounded knobs. In contrast, the other side exhibits irregularities with partially shaped knobs resulting from pecking. A total of 19 knobs are visible. This model was produced as part of a Leverhulme Trust funded project titled "Working Stone, Making Communities: Technology and Identity on Prehistoric Orkney". The model will be featured in an upcoming web resource focused on Orcadian stone tools, currently under development. Dimensions: Length - 67.5mm, Breadth - 58.9mm, Thickness - 52.6mm. Weight: 245.5g. The Orkney Museum and the Orkney Islands Council jointly own this artifact, cataloged as OM 1983.139. Image courtesy of Hugo Anderson-Whymark.