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Description: | A complete, lead or lead alloy, spindle whorl or weight of the Roman to Post Medieval period, dating from c.AD 43 - c.AD 1650.The whorl is broadly circular in plan and rectangular in section. There is a circular perforation through the whorl and this has been cast slightly off centre, it has an internal diameter of 9.5 mm. The top and bottom edges of the whorl are flat and straight. The sides show signs of some decoration in the form of small circular depressions in the surface, although it is difficult to tell whether this is intentional or as a result of corrosion.The whorl measures 21.4 mm in diameter and has a thickness of 14.0 mm (the wall of the whorl is 5.3 mm thick). The whorl weighs 33.9 g (1.2 oz).The whorl is a light grey to light brown in colour and has an even surface patina. Abrasion caused by movement whilst within the plough soil may have resulted in the loss of some of the orgininal surface detail. Other examples of this type of whorl have been recorded on the database including NLM-C5E147, NLM-60A232 and WMID-C656E4.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 AD1450). The weight of the spindle whorl is suggestive of a thin 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.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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