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Ness of Brodgar

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Carved Stone Ball Found


Today the site has produced its first carved stone ball, ironically found by a non-drinker as the discovery prize is whisky. I'm sure the excavation blog will mention it, so look on Orkneyjar tonight I guess. It follows the usual Orcadian form and has round bossed faces.
They still have a long way to catch up to the 'domestic' Skara Brae settlement with over half-a-dozen. Elsewhere three were found at the Hillheads in St Ola (one from the circular enclosure/fort) and one each from Sanday, the Links of Noltland in Westray (last year), Orphir (thought to be from Bu [geophys found a double ring feature in the Bu area]), an unidentified Bignor in Stenness itself, and lastly one at Tamaskirk in Rendall.
wideford Posted by wideford
7th August 2013ce
Edited 8th August 2013ce

Comments (3)

You're right, there's a photo here
http://www.orkneyjar.com/archaeology/nessofbrodgar/2013/08/dig-diary-wednesday-august-7-2013/
they're super things aren't they, how exciting to find a new one
Rhiannon Posted by Rhiannon
8th August 2013ce
Yeah! Saw this yesterday - superb find! Some great stuff coming out of there, isn't there? Unique. Wish I could go have a look meself! :) goffik Posted by goffik
8th August 2013ce
Great Orkneyjar content. The Day 13 inscribed stone once again shows us triangles and chevrons (reminding me of my visit to the Banks tomb on S Ronaldsay - see Wideford's images)
Do we yet have a consistent interpretation of these recurring carved shapes?
Posted by tomatoman
8th August 2013ce
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