TPO 33 Integrated Task

The focus of both the passage and the lecture is on possible explanations for purpose and meaning of carved stone balls found in Scotland. the writer puts forward three theories to accomplish such goal, However, the professor casts doubt on each mentioned theory and claims that none of them is convincing.

According to the writer, it is possible that these stones were used for hunting or fighting. However, the professor rejects this by mentioning that primary weapons, such as arrows and hand axes, indicate signs of wear. Furthermore, if they were used for fighting, they would have some cracks in them. In fact, these stones are very well preserved. Therefore, this theory is not convincing.

Moreover, the writer suggests that maybe these stones were used for trading or balancing purposes; based on their similar size. On the other hand, the professor challenges this reasoning. She notes that stones were created from different types of materials such as sand or grain. different types of materials mean different density and hence, different weights. Thereby, makes this theory not convincing.

Last but not least, the writer asserts that elaborate designs of stones strengthen the idea that they had social purposes like showing social status of a person. Nonetheless, the professor disagrees. She points out that when high ranking persons died in that era, they were buried with their possessions. but no stones were found in their grave. Therein, this theory is not convincing as well as others mentioned above.