{"id":538,"date":"2020-04-18T21:55:22","date_gmt":"2020-04-18T20:55:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skoultrek.org\/en\/?p=538"},"modified":"2024-10-19T15:35:13","modified_gmt":"2024-10-19T15:35:13","slug":"carved-stone-balls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/skl.design\/en\/index.php\/2020\/04\/18\/carved-stone-balls\/","title":{"rendered":"Carved stone balls: Neolithic stones from Scotland"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"82\" height=\"83\" src=\"https:\/\/skl.design\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/pierre_gravure_neolithique_ecosse_04_min.png\" alt=\"miniature_pierre_gravure_ecosse\" class=\"wp-image-1022\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">These pretty Neolithic stones come from Scotland, Ireland, England and, generally, from the North of the British Isles; they were found two centuries ago.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Relatively round, engraved, these neolithic stones from Scotland are called &#8220;Carved stone balls&#8221; and are dated from 3000 to 5000 years. <br>Their function or usefulness remains, to date, unknown. <br>However, it is possible for us to imagine: a game, a currency, or even a symbol of property, perhaps land, or even religious. <br>Presumably, we can bet artificial intelligence will be able to guide us and teach us more in the years to come, on this discovery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then these spheroid shapes have been scanned, and are now available for us in 3D on the National Museums Scotland page. Photogrammetry, a discipline that I always appreciated, is used for its finesse of observation, thanks to the details that are revealed, and for the ease of consultation online, by computer, for more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here we&#8217;ll find some of them: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Carved Stone Ball, Fordoun, Kincardineshire.<br>A late Neolithic (c.3200-2500 cal BC) carved stone ball with 9 incised discs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a3878ebb8da9&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a3878ebb8da9\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/skl.design\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pierre_gravure_neolithique_ecosse_03.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-540\"\/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Locality: Fordoun, Kincardineshire, Scotland. Weight: 297.7g Diameter: 68.65mm.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Carved stone ball, Towie, Aberdeenshire.<br>A Late Neolithic (3200-2500 cal BC) carved stone ball with four knobs.<br>Three of the knobs are incised with exceptionally fine motifs, including spirals and concentric circles. Some of the interspaces have also been decorated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a3878ebb95f3&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a3878ebb95f3\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/skl.design\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pierre_gravure_neolithique_ecosse_04.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-541\"\/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Locality: Glass Hill, Towie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Weight: 532.5g Diameter: 76.2mm.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Decorated carved stone ball, nr Elgin.<br>A Late Neolithic (3200-2500 cal BC) carved stone ball with four knobs. Two of its knobs are decorated with spirals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a3878ebb9dc6&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a3878ebb9dc6\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/skl.design\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pierre_gravure_neolithique_ecosse_01.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-542\"\/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Locality: nr Elgin, Scotland. Weight: 519.7g Diameter: 74mm.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This carved stone ball, has six knobs, one decorated with incised lines, late Neolithic (3200-2500 cal BC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a3878ebba548&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a3878ebba548\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/skl.design\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pierre_gravure_neolithique_ecosse_02.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-539\"\/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Locality: Dalriach, Cromdale, Grantown-on-Spey, Moray, Scotland. Weight: 519.6g Diameter: 73 mm.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sketchfab.com\/nationalmuseumsscotland\/collections\/carved-stone-balls\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/sketchfab.com\/nationalmuseumsscotland\/collections\/carved-stone-balls\n<br \/>\n<\/a>You can find the following scans of these Neolithic stones from Scotland, almost 60 (Update: 112 models on 2024), in animated 3D on this page of the National Museums Scotland<br><a href=\"https:\/\/sketchfab.com\/nationalmuseumsscotland\/collections\/carved-stone-balls\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">.<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You will so be able to explore with your computer and mouse, but also with your Virtual Reality devices.<br>In order to navigate with your mouse, try to:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check and adjust textures in HD<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use the wheel to zoom in \/ out<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To rotate the view: use left click<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To move the view: use right click<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>These pretty Neolithic stones come from Scotland, Ireland, England and, generally, from the North of the British Isles; they were found two centuries ago. Relatively round, engraved, these neolithic stones from Scotland are called &#8220;Carved stone balls&#8221; and are dated from 3000 to 5000 years. Their function or usefulness remains, to date, unknown. However, it [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,224,228,9],"tags":[36,61,67,91,118,134,142,143,148,156,176,205],"class_list":["post-538","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","hentry","category-neolithic","category-bronze-age","category-data-archeology","category-photo","tag-aberdeenshire","tag-carved-stone-balls","tag-cromdale","tag-fordoun","tag-kincardineshire","tag-moray","tag-national-museums-scotland","tag-neolithic","tag-nr-elgin","tag-photogrammetry","tag-scotland","tag-towie","post_format-post-format-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/skl.design\/en\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/538","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/skl.design\/en\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/skl.design\/en\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/skl.design\/en\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/skl.design\/en\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=538"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/skl.design\/en\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/538\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1114,"href":"https:\/\/skl.design\/en\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/538\/revisions\/1114"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/skl.design\/en\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=538"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/skl.design\/en\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=538"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/skl.design\/en\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=538"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}