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SPINDLE WHORL
Unique ID: LVPL-E7F768
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A lead / lead alloy spindle whorl dating to the medieval period (c.AD 1200-1400).
The object is biconical in shape with steeped edges and a large central perforation measuring 8.28mm in diameter. Both faces are decorated, one presents a raised design of ovals linked together to seemingly form a chain around the entire face. The other face has raised lettering which reads + I E OO II, which possibly reads +JEOON or +JEωN if the II is an unbarred N. The lettering is broadly spaced. The spindle whorl has a grey / cream patina.
Dimensions: Diameter 26.75mm; thickness 9mm; weight 28.94g
Decorated lead-alloy spindle whorls or weights can be difficult to date as they are not commonly discovered in dateable contexts. Of the decorated spindle whorls that have been found on dateable sites, it is clear they were used from Roman times to the post medieval period. The majority of these objects come from medieval dated sites which is why most spindle whorls such as this one are recorded as dating to the medieval period. This particular spindle whorl presents lettering in the medieval style and so most likely dates to that period.
Find of note status
This has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.
Inscription:
+ I E OO II
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1200
Date to: Circa AD 1400
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight: 28.94 g
Diameter: 26.7 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 19th January 2020
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Lead
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: North West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: St. Helens (Metropolitan District)
District: St. Helens (Metropolitan District)
Parish or ward: Haydock (Metropolitan District Ward)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SJ5498
Four figure Latitude: 53.47670517
Four figure longitude: -2.69454853
1:25K map: SJ5498
1:10K map: SJ59NW
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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