Rights Holder: Birmingham Museums Trust
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Unique ID: WMID-EA7BF5
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A lead spindle whorl of probable Early Medieval date, though it may run into the medieval period. The spindle whorl is bi-conical with a central perforation which is broken and it is missing a chunk. The object is decorated on both sides with linear designs, and these appear to be runic script. It is possible that the script is pseudo-runic, and merely intended to imitate a script, but it does seem that the runes are genuine Anglo-Saxon runes. Wear on the spindle whorl and the missing section hamper decipherment and the meaning of the runes has not yet been established. It is possible they may refer to an individual's name, or perhaps are a religious inscription. The spindle whorl measures 10.86 mm in diameter and is 11.63 mm thick. The central perforation measures 9.04 mm in diameter. The whorl weighs 16.8 grams. It has a pale brown to grey patina.
This is a find of note and has been designated: National importance
Class: Runic
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 400
Date to: Circa AD 1200
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 11.63 mm
Weight: 16.8 g
Diameter: 10.86 mm
Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 28th September 2010 - Tuesday 30th November 2010
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Primary material: Lead
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
4 Figure: SO7666
Four figure Latitude: 52.291603
Four figure longitude: -2.353299
1:25K map: SO7666
1:10K map: SO76NE
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.