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PENCIL
Unique ID: NMS-DDB454
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Distorted medieval to post-medieval writing lead, round-sectioned and tapering from the expanded flat-topped ovoid head to the point. Length 65mm. Head 10.5 x 8..3mm. Maximum diameter 6.8mm. Weight 15.9g. 13th - 16th century.
Writing leads like this follow the traditional shape of the earlier writing tablet styli, although it is unclear how effective a lead stylus would be for inscribing wax, and it seems more likely that they were used to make grey marks, as pencils. They are difficult to date as they have a long lifespan and examples of similar writing leads from Winchester ranged from 13th-15th century in date. However, it seems that some writing leads were also used in the post-medieval period and it is not inconceivable that this is later than medieval.
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
Length: 65 mm
Width: 10.5 mm
Weight: 15.9 g
Diameter: 6.8 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 3rd May 2022 - Thursday 12th May 2022
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
SMR reference number: 39361
Other reference: INDVB062022AR
Materials and construction
Primary material: Lead
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
County or Unitary authority: Norfolk (County)
District: Breckland (District)
Parish or ward: Gressenhall (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: TF9513
Four figure Latitude: 52.6795945
Four figure longitude: 0.88315412
1:25K map: TF9513
1:10K map: TF91SE
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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