Scotland's 5,000-year-old carved stone balls shrouded in mystery

By Jane Bracher, for CNN

Updated 1414 GMT (2214 HKT) July 26, 2018

More than 500 of these 5,000-year-old carved stone balls have been discovered, mostly in Scotland, but their purpose remains a mystery.
Photos:
More than 500 of these 5,000-year-old carved stone balls have been discovered, mostly in Scotland, but their purpose remains a mystery.
Hide Caption
1 of 9
Featuring knobs and intricate markings of spirals and lines, these stone balls date back to around 3,200 BC to 2,500 BC.
Photos:
Featuring knobs and intricate markings of spirals and lines, these stone balls date back to around 3,200 BC to 2,500 BC.
Hide Caption
2 of 9
The Towie ball, seen here as a 3D image, is perhaps the most beautiful example. It is on display at the National Museums Scotland, in Edinburgh.
Photos:
The Towie ball, seen here as a 3D image, is perhaps the most beautiful example. It is on display at the National Museums Scotland, in Edinburgh.
Hide Caption
3 of 9
Some of the balls were found in the remarkably preserved Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae, in the Orkney Islands, off the northern coast of Scotland.
Photos:
Some of the balls were found in the remarkably preserved Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae, in the Orkney Islands, off the northern coast of Scotland.
Hide Caption
4 of 9
The carved stone balls were created during an era when people transitioned from hunter gatherers to farmers, in settlements such as Skara Brae.
Photos:
The carved stone balls were created during an era when people transitioned from hunter gatherers to farmers, in settlements such as Skara Brae.
Hide Caption
5 of 9
To gain a better understanding of the carved stone balls, and to bring the collection closer to the public, Hugo Anderson-Whymark, curator of National Museums Scotland, created 3D images of 60 balls from the museum's collection.
Photos:
To gain a better understanding of the carved stone balls, and to bring the collection closer to the public, Hugo Anderson-Whymark, curator of National Museums Scotland, created 3D images of 60 balls from the museum's collection.
Hide Caption
6 of 9
Using a technique called photogrammetry, Anderson-Whymark took hundreds of 2D images from every angle to create very detailed 3D renderings of the stone balls. The resulting 3D images revealed previously unseen details in the design.
Photos:
Using a technique called photogrammetry, Anderson-Whymark took hundreds of 2D images from every angle to create very detailed 3D renderings of the stone balls. The resulting 3D images revealed previously unseen details in the de