Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology => Topic started by: imatfaal on 17/05/2010 19:42:37

Title: Anyone know what this is?
Post by: imatfaal on 17/05/2010 19:42:37

Hello All,

This is a little bit out of the normal for this forum - but can anyone identify this?  I will be happy to answer questions and I have posted a higher resolution version on Flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22711004@N07/4615666567/

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By the way - I do know exactly what it is - but I am curious if anyone else might know. I hope uploading works; its first time I have tried

Matthew

Title: Anyone know what this is?
Post by: traveler on 17/05/2010 23:22:30

Looks like a polished septarian nodule but it could be a bowling ball.

Title: Anyone know what this is?
Post by: Geezer on 18/05/2010 01:30:21

What size is it?

Title: Anyone know what this is?
Post by: RD on 18/05/2010 02:46:08

Not another one of these (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=24169.msg263605#msg263605).  [:)]

Title: Anyone know what this is?
Post by: Geezer on 18/05/2010 04:19:57

It's a clay marble (well, obviously it's not actually made of marble because it's made of clay, but then, neither are glass marbles made out of marble 'cos they made of glass).

BTW - how much is my prize worth?

Title: Anyone know what this is?
Post by: imatfaal on 18/05/2010 11:47:06

Quote from: Geezer on 18/05/2010 01:30:21

What size is it?

it is about 50mm radius and weights about half a pound

Title: Anyone know what this is?
Post by: imatfaal on 18/05/2010 11:47:43

sorry about half a kilo - will weigh when i get home

Title: Anyone know what this is?
Post by: BenV on 18/05/2010 11:56:26

Is it a dorodango?  One of those delightful polished mud balls?

Title: Anyone know what this is?
Post by: imatfaal on 18/05/2010 12:11:41

Both Geezer and Ben are right - I ignored Geezers answer cos it missed the japanese term and was far too quick (sorry).  It is a hikaru dorodango made from London clay from my back garden.  It is soley clay, water, and a bit of charcoal added to create the black marbling effect - there is NO varnish nor polishing agent.  you can actually see your face in the reflection.

Here's the website with the instructions I followed
http://www.dorodango.com/about.html

It's like making mud pies, but for supposed grown-ups.  recomended over the long hot summer (i pray) as a meaningless but gratifying waste of time.  Matthew