Scientists have created three-dimensional virtual copies of the mysterious balls discovered in the north of Scotland, on the Orkney Islands, England, Ireland and Norway. The first balls were found over 200 years ago. Artifacts made at the end of the Stone Age amaze scientists with their workmanship.
Experts still cannot understand how exactly they could have been made using stone tools. To date, scientists know more than 500 such items. They are all about the size of a baseball.
When creating virtual copies, experts discovered new details on the balls, including almost indistinguishable drawings.
There are several versions explaining the unusual appearance of the balls. Some researchers speculate that they may have served as weapons. They could be attached to clubs or used as sling projectiles. Others believe that these were weights for traders 5 thousand years ago. Some experts believe that the balls could have been used to transport giant stones during the construction of ancient monuments.
The three-dimensional copies of the balls were created from the collection at the National Museum of Scotland, which includes 140 items found in Scotland and the Orkney Islands, as well as 60 casts of similar objects found elsewhere. Currently 60 3D copies of the balls can be seen here.