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Description: | A complete lead or lead alloy flat spindle whorl, of Roman to Post Medieval dating (AD 43 - AD 1650), but often attributed to the Medieval Period (circa AD 1100 - AD 1450).The object is sub-circular in plan and sub rectangular in cross section. Both faces have six moulded high-relief sub-triangular shapes (resembling three sided pyramids), situated around a central perforation. The perforation has an internal diameter of 9.5 mm.The whorl has a diameter of 31 mm and is 12.1 mm thick. It weighs 38.0 grams.The whorl is of a mid grey to light brown 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, PUBLIC-C28615 and WMID-2CAF04.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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