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Ball bearings used to build Stonehenge

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Howburn Digger H
Howburn Digger Nov 19, 2010 14:14:28
Replying to moss

Around 400 stone balls have been found in Scotland. Around half of those have no decoration and are sort of "half finished". The finished ones can be incredibly ornate and have all sorts of geometric patterns and ornate knobs and projections.

http://www.hunterian.gla.ac.uk/collections/museum/online_exhibitions/stones/carvedStoneBall.jpg

They tend not to be found in the context of stone circles but in ploughfields. I think the exceptions were these incredible pieces found in the houses at Skara Brae.

http://feralstrumpet.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/carved_stone_objects_skara_brae.jpg?w=535

Ball bearings? Research Grant? Unbelievable.

R Rhiannon
Rhiannon Nov 19, 2010 16:01:41
Replying to Howburn Digger

I'm not quite sure what would make anyone think of ball bearings after seeing those lovely aesthetically interesting carved things. I suspect they didn't really inspire the ball bearing thought at all. Not beyond the most glancing 'ah there's some stone balls or something up in Scotland'. Stupid innit.

T The Eternal
The Eternal Nov 19, 2010 23:53:22
Replying to Howburn Digger

Howburn Digger wrote:
Around 400 stone balls have been found in Scotland. Around half of those have no decoration and are sort of "half finished". The finished ones can be incredibly ornate and have all sorts of geometric patterns and ornate knobs and projections.

http://www.hunterian.gla.ac.uk/collections/museum/online_exhibitions/stones/carvedStoneBall.jpg

They tend not to be found in the context of stone circles but in ploughfields. I think the exceptions were these incredible pieces found in the houses at Skara Brae.

http://feralstrumpet.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/carved_stone_objects_skara_brae.jpg?w=535

Ball bearings? Research Grant? Unbelievable.

Howburn Digger,
I always think bollocks (pardon the pun) to any theory other than fertility where balls, wooden, chalk, or stone are concerned. The better decorated, then the greater the magic, as the work put into them was what mattered. The greater the effort, then the greater the effect, or the reward.
Regards,
TE.