Neolithic Carved Stone Balls in context: A new find from Sheriffmuir

[@sam21462]

What with these things being found almost entirely in Scotland I think it rather obvious that what we are dealing with here is early proto golf balls.

[@neuroleptika]

Somewhere is a witness account written by a guest, or a find waiting to be dug up with a ball in its intended use that explains it....it bugs me to no end.

[@rambozo_fpv176]

🧐🧐🧐

[@chucklearnslithics3751]

I couldn't find them on Sketchfab.com via the links shared in the video but I did find them via the site's search: "National Museum Scotland". Fantastic objects! We have nothing like that on this side of the pond. I wish they were downloadable so I could print one and examine it but the 3d viewing on sketchfab is phenomenal!

[@ChiefMadokawando]

Maybe a symbol of property ownership? Each ball represents a specific land area. Sort of like stone deeds. When you conveyed the property you could hand the stone over to another symbolically.

[@bryanjohnson9800]

Great presentation, thank you. I was thinking that if attached to a length of cordage they would make a handy close-quarters weapon. Similar to a pool/billiard ball in a sock. Just my 2 pence. Thanks again!

[@rambozo_fpv176]

Fancy bolas!

[@kenycharles8600]

Thank you for this presentation.

[@reginariddle2266]

Those things resemble modern drill bits for water wells or oil rigs.

[@johnlameelk5339]

Funny you mentioned that. Back in the '70s I worked in the oil patch, (an overall term for the industry involved in the oil recovery stage), and saw the patterns of some of these as very similar. However, I personally think these were used more like a family crest. The variety of patterns suggests identification, with the overall similarity one to another, speaks of overall (nation?) And the variations then more specifically identifies the individual. The almost exaggerated tactile quality of such objects would have worked well under low light conditions. And such small objects would have been perfect to toss to guard post or defensive position as a way of showing something we would now consider a passport. Bona fides for Neolithic travel would explain a lot about their scattering across a wide area. And then this symbol of their importance was buried with them as a final tribute. Just my own take on what these could signify, from remembering similar objects used in the same manner among my own people in pre-contact North America.

[@reginariddle2266]

@@johnlameelk5339 cool! Lol, I'm sorry baby. I'm old and they just looked like drill bits to me. That is why I said they resemble them. Hahahaha. But you have a very articulate mind. Thank you for sharing

[@David-mo5jw]

Perhaps like welsh love spoons these are personaly created objects carved and created over long periods of rare free time.then cherished and handed down through family.

[@hArtyTruffle]

That’s what I think too. I know this might sound a bit woo-woo to some, but I remember making one or, at least, I remember the feeling of making one with someone in mind.

[@rambozo_fpv176]

Some have proposed they were passed down through generations and embellished by each successive generation. Something of a living family crest, I suppose.

[@shuddupeyaface]

I've just watched a documentary regarding the balls. They are so reminiscent of pollen grains. Astonishing really.

[@naradaian]

Yes I like that….a weight comparison chart would indicate if it’s a hypothetical weight and measure. By being elaborate items they are self evidently ‘weights and measures’ as they are hard to duplicate

[@DrewJonesandSparky]

This is just a guess. I am curious about these but have no deep or prior knowledge, so please be kind regarding my ignorance. I am no expert. I am merely thinking outside my own limits. Sometimes breakthroughs are made listening to observations from fresh eyes. I think maybe the six sided stone balls are a six month calendar used for keeping track of the days during farming seasons, and you were lucky enough to find one incomplete. Marking one line per day.

[@TheGreatest1974]

Very interesting. 👍

[@JamieKunka]

Fantastic presentation guys!

[@TheGreatest1974]

Lovely presentation. I have made a few of these using an angle grinder and rotary tool, they came out quite nice. When I do my KZbin video I will try and leave a link to it.

[@caolanmaher5907]

How complex do you think the techniques were using them?

[@TheGreatest1974]

@@caolanmaher5907 the techniques I used? Not too hard but dusty and time consuming. I’ll leave you a link to my video?

[@TheGreatest1974]

@@caolanmaher5907 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnasqq2Ydqh7gdE

[@TheGreatest1974]

@@caolanmaher5907 I think the Stone Age people spent weeks or months on some of the balls.

[@caolanmaher5907]

@@TheGreatest1974 surely they used metal tools to get that sort of precision

[@wendykleeb2071]

They would make great weaving weights.

[@Ratkill]

Honestly I see something possibly used to twist rope or cordage, and the deepening grooves being from use rather than a user made addition.

[@cynthiarowley719]

I think they might be used with rope, or yarn, or leather strips. The channels are the tool. It's my theory. It's is mine. I own it.

[@markkaidy8741]

Yes Cynthia!

[@HexxyEEE]

seems unlikely to spend that many man hours on simply something to hold string

[@leebronock887]

Silly idea #X. Could they be weights for a bola style hunting tool? The grooves would be right for anchoring a leather or rope cinch.

[@naradaian]

There are no animals suitable for using a one stone bolas ! on…..inScotland….and is used from horses in pursuit events

[@Yaxchilan]

roll it like dice and see what side is up?

[@alexnicole7431]

How do the Scottish Carved Stone Balls compare with the Irish Neolithic Polished Stone Balls?

[@naradaian]

I thought most,of,the Irish ones are from Ulster and come from Scots geology

[@trudyclay3478]

I think they were ancient peoples, golf balls. And they had all the markets. So you could tell who's ball belong to who?

[@christianschwartz7485]

It seems fairly straightforward to me. Looks like a pestel, for the use of processing grain and separating seeds. Different carvings, with different sized gaps, based on different agricultural product. The ones smoth are for grinding items to a powder, or are just worn out/down from extended use.

[@naradaian]

Ridiculous as there,is no wear.-au contrail they are precise and perfect

[@Shoshana-xh6hc]

Look similar to Maori Koru carving...

[@naradaian]

It’s not a weapon- unless it’s an exhibition piece. A stone in an animal skin ‘sock’ or cloth or contained in a cordage net would make the weapon in 30 seconds. To take possible years to make a weapon is incredible. A jewel like status weapon might be arguable like ‘the royal mace’ - but… it’s to incredible for me…controlling a solid club is easier than a flailing weight on the end of a rope sling. The bayeux tapestry pics were not convincing as ropes

[@onenewworldmonkey]

"It is only a town dreamed allegory that represents nature as a fawn mother suckling her young upon her breast. Those who have lived literally close to wild nature know her for a tyrant, void of pity and of mercy from whom nothing can be wrung without toil and a risk of death. To all pioneer men, to their woman and children, too, life has been one long hard cruel war against elemental powers. Nothing else than warlike ants nothing short of warlike could have subdued beasts and savages, felled the forest and made our land habitable for those teaming millions who can exist only in the state of mutual dependence and cultivation." Horace Kephart, 1913 I have said before how the use of a simple stone is ignored by all of the "town dreamers". Even Lt. William Bligh (from Mutiny on the Bounty) was a town dreamer "I had not the idea that the power of a man's arm can throw stones from 2 to 8 pound weight with such force and exactness as these people did". (Bligh, 1743) A man was killed right beside him. I could write a book of just quotes.

[@markkaidy8741]

Ripe for easy experiment: Make a duplicate one from 3D printing. And make a round one (same weight and diameter).. TEST how far they travel when "thrown"...I bet the carved one goes farther!!!

[@kc3718]

indeed golf was invented in Scotland, and this was the precursor before clubs were used ? What about the mishapen pointed ones, like a rocket ?

[@grahamfleming8139]

Scotland has the balls

[@ameeagle7]

Clearly for rolling out your feet

[@ziggydan7854]

Look weights.