The aerodynamics of carved stone balls

Abstract

Over 400 carved stone balls have been found in Scotland, usually attributed to the Neolithic period and often described as `unknown in function' or `probably ritualistic'. The article offers a new hypothesis for their use, demonstrating that these balls are unexpectedly well optimized, in terms of their aerodynamics and mass, for unaided throwing by hand. This may explain their otherwise surprising uniformity in size and weight and their generally rough surface texture (which reduces air drag), due to carving and/or picking-out left unpolished. The mass distribution for over 200 examples held in various Scottish museums and archive stores is presented in support of this hypothesis. Includes