SPINDLE WHORL

The object is a probable cast lead alloy spindle whorl. The dating of lead spindle whorls is difficult due to the long period of time over which they were used. According to Geake (Geake, H. 2001 Finds Recording Guide, Version 1.1; August 2001) lead spindle whorls have been found in both Roman and Medieval contexts (Geake 2001, 66). However the recorded object is thought to be Roman in date as it shares some similarities with another Roman spindle whorl from Woodhouse, Northumberland which is also bi-conical and has similar line and pellet decoration on it (Brailsford, J. 1951. British Museum: A Guide to the Antiquities of Roman Britain. Oxford University Press: Oxford, fig. 23, d.4)

In plan the object is sub-circular while in section the object is bi-conical. The object has a central perforation which is roughly sub-circular in plan. It is decorated on the obverse and reverse, by a series of moulded zigzag lines and sub-circular pellets. The pellets are approximately 2.4mm in diameter. On the obverse of the object, approximately thirteen pellets (others may have been abraded away) are laid out in a crude zigzag pattern. Only five pellets are visible on the reverse, and they do not appear to be laid out in any particular pattern. The object is light brown in colour with traces of white around its edges.

The object is measures 28.4mm in diameter, 11.6mm at its thickest point and the central perforation is 10.3mm in diameter. The weight of the object is 41.01g.