Rights Holder: West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service
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Unique ID: SWYOR-F7E5A8
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A cast lead weight, probably a fishing weight of Medieval or post-Medieval date, AD 1200 - 1800. In shape it is an elongated teardrop of trapezoidal section with a thick median ridge which is separated from the main body by incised grooves, dividing it into two pyramidal halves. One end of the weight has a blunt point and there is a constriction at the other end where there was once probably a suspension loop, but this has broken away and is missing. The weight has a smooth cream coloured patina. It is 62.3mm long, 27.8mm wide and 15.5mm thick. It weighs 87.45gm.
Compare WMID-BF7CF0 which notes that: "A similar weight is described by Egan (1998, 310) which has a lentoid, triangular sectioned form. It may have been used to weigh down nets, as a plumb bob or on ships. This example dates from AD 1350 to AD 1400 and this weight may be from a similar date but may also be from other periods.". Also see NLM-8F92E7 which cites various sources before concluding that: "The common discovery of such weights in groups tends to confirm their use as net weights, though the form also resembles that of weights used by anglers with rod and line, particularly for coastal fishing.". Other similar examples are SWYOR-413B68 and LVPL-B43AC5.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1200
Date to: Circa AD 1800
Quantity: 1
Length: 62.3 mm
Width: 27.8 mm
Thickness: 15.5 mm
Weight: 87.45 g
Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 9th September 2014 - Tuesday 9th September 2014
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Other reference: PAS form number 2379
Primary material: Lead Alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
4 Figure: SE5369
Four figure Latitude: 54.11415105
Four figure longitude: -1.19074166
1:25K map: SE5369
1:10K map: SE56NW
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.