This small copper-alloy ball is a puzzle. Its decoration is typical of art styles in Scotland and Ireland that developed around the end of the Roman period (3rd to 5th century AD), but what was it for? There’s no sign it was ever fastened to anything. Could it be a weight? Or a gaming piece? Certainly, a lot of effort was spent on its manufacture and decoration. We know very little about its find circumstances, but Walston lies beside a prominent hill with mineral springs. Was this an offering, or a ritual item?
In the 19th Century this artefact was incorrectly used to date Scotland’s Neolithic carved stone balls.
Accession No: X.AS 39
Object name: Decorated ball
Date: 3rd-5th century AD
Style/culture: late Iron Age
Materials: Made in two halves from different copper alloys
Collection place: Walston, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK
Diameter: 39mm
Model: Dr Hugo Anderson-Whymark
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