Atomos (2015)

‘Atomos’, (‘Uncuttable’ > Ancient Greek) are images of carved stone spheres that were made 4,000 - 5,000 years ago in the north east of Scotland. They vary in size with the most common slightly larger than a petanque or cricket ball, heavier than both, but lighter than a canon ball. The smallest and simplest is roughly the size of two ping pong balls. Their weights do not confrom to any relational system. On their surface a range of perfectly shaped protruding spheres have been carved, ranging in number from 2 up to 48. They are almost all symetrical and reveal an incredible mathmatical purity. To the extent that some are convinced these objects offer extremely early proof of an understanding of platonic solids.

To date almost 400 have been unearthed in various forms, yet no one is close to a reasonable theory as to what they are, or why they were made. As they exhibit only very minor signs of wear and tear over the millennia, it does not seem obvious that they were used as tools, weapons, or in any kind of throwing game.

Given that in most cases they were carved out of granite, the best assumption that can be made is that they had some important denotive or symbolic function. In this state they shine mirror-like, inviting whichever cultural circumstance projects a new theory for their existence.