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SPINDLE WHORL
Unique ID: YORYM-2DAF9B
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A complete lead spindle whorl of medieval to post-medieval date. The spindle whorl is bi-conical with a central perforation running through it. Both surfaces are decorated with 10 raised lines radiating from the central perforation to form a star shape. Each resulting cell, both inside and outside the star, holds a single pellet. The rim of the spindle whorl is slightly raised.
The metal is a mid whitish-brown colour and is worn. The spindle whorl is 31.1mm in diameter, 8.6mm thick and weighs 29.5g. The perforation is 9.5mm in diameter.
Lead spindle whorls were commonly used from the Iron Age through to the post-medieval period and are difficult to date with any certainty. Decorated examples are thought to date to the medieval to post-medieval periods while undecorated examples cannot be securely dated without supporting contextual evidence.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1200
Date to: Circa AD 1600
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 8.6 mm
Weight: 29.5 g
Diameter: 31.1 mm
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber (European Region)County or Unitary authority: North Yorkshire (County)
District: Hambleton (District)
Parish or ward: Osmotherley (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SE4597
Four figure Latitude: 54.36653722
Four figure longitude: -1.30891822
1:25K map: SE4597
1:10K map: SE49NE
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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