|
Date: |
|
Description: | A complete lead or lead alloy flat spindle whorl, of Roman to Post Medieval dating (AD 43 - AD 1650).In plan it is sub-circular and sub rectangular in cross section. Both faces has have six moulded high-relief triangles, located around a slightly off centre perforation as decoration at the edge. The perforation which has an internal diameter of 9.3 mm.The whorl has a diameter of 30.7 mm and is 11.8 mm thick. It weighs 35.4 grams.The whorl is of a light to mid grey colour, with an even surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail.Spindle whorls, as an artefact type, can be hard to date accurately as they remained in use for a long period of time, however lead alloy spindle whorls of this type are normally attributed to the Medieval period (c. AD 1100 to AD 1450). The weight of the spindle whorl is suggestive of a thick linen or wool thread being spun, as there is a direct relationship between the weight of the whorl and the thickness of the resulting thread. Fine threads such as silk require a lighter whorl than those used to spun wool or linen.Several similar spindlewhorls have been recorded on the PAS database, including: YORYM-EE68F3; WAW-E8EAB8; WAW-A54060 and PUBLIC-C28615.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
|
|