Decorated facially pecked cobble, Orkney

3D Model

This finely shaped stone tool, which is manufactured from Camptonite, an igneous dyke rock, is unique. Each of the four convex faces exhibits finely incised geometric patterns. These designs can be paralleled with designs found at the late Neolithic settlements at Skara Brae and Ness of Brodgar, Orkney, indicating that this artefact probably dates late Neolithic (c.3200-2300 BC).

Both ends of this tool exhibit battered, resulting from use as a hammerstone, while each face exhibits one or more sub-circular pock-marked depressions c.15-25mm in diameter. These marks probably result from the use of this tool as an anvil for bipolar flint knapping. This type of use damage is typical of facially pecked cobbles, a common Neolithic tool type, but the shaping and decoration on this eample make it exceptional.

This artefact formed part of the Skaill House Museum, but has no provenance information.

W: 403.6g. L:98.9mm, B: 55.4mm, T: 50.2mm

© National Museums Scotland.