“Wrapped” carved stone ball from Hillhead, St Ola parish, Orkney

The form of this carved stone ball is based closely on a Late Neolithic ball found at Hillhead, St Ola, Orkney in the late 19th Century. The carved square patterns, chevrons and spiralling lines are also found on Orcadian Neolithic grooved ware pottery and decorated stonework. It is possible that the spiralling design and pleated chevron could provide a rare representation of an organic cord binding and wrapping around a carved stone ball that normally wouldn’t survive. This ball has been pecked and carved to shape by Orcadian archaeologist Christopher Gee using the same local stone tools and techniques as used in the Late Neolithic. The ball is made from Orkney Red Sandstone which has been used for its colour and texture in architecture at the Ness of Brodgar. The central upright column in Stucture 10’s central dresser was made from the same peck-dressed red sandstone. During the Middle Ages red sandstone was also used in St Magnus Cathedral and other high status Orcadian buildings.

The form of this carved stone ball is based closely on a Late Neolithic ball found at Hillhead, St Ola, Orkney in the late 19th Century. The carved square patterns, chevrons and spiralling lines are also found on Orcadian Neolithic grooved ware pottery and decorated stonework. It is possible that the spiralling design and pleated […]

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New: Chocolate carved stone ball

original carved stone ball from the Ness of Brodgar

Here is a new product I have just started making: A dark chocolate Carved Stone Ball. A carved stone ball is a stone age artefact type found in Scotland. This chocolate version is the exact shape and size of the one found at the Ness of Brodgar, Orkney, in 2013. It has six bosses, arranged […]

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The carved stone ball from Yarhouse

Yarhouse carved stone ball, by Chris Gee, photographed at Gurness Broch. Yarhouse carved stone ball, by Chris Gee, photographed at Gurness Broch. It has been a busy weekend, with organising the re-enactment of the martyrdom of St Magnus in Egilsay on Saturday, and having fun with egg rolling and the launch of the St Magnus [...]Read more of The carved stone ball from Yarhouse...