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SPINDLE WHORL

Unique ID: HAMP-90EBF2

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Awaiting validation

A corroded, broadly circular cast lead spindle whorl. The whorl is discoidal in form with a flat base and top and with a bevelled upper surface. It is fairly crudely cast and, though it features scratches and removals, is seemingly undecorated. The artefact has a spindle hole with a diameter of 7.5mm. The spindle whorl is 7.3mm in thickness and weighs 32.0g. It has been pointed out that the weight of a spindle whorl is suggestive of the thickness of yarn produced, with lighter spindle whorls (3 - 5 grams) being used for spinning cotton and the heavier ones (30 - 35 grams) for spinning wool (Margeson 1993, 184). It can be suggested, therefore, that this artefact was used in the spinning of wool. The dating of unstratified spindle whorls is very difficult, although Egan (1998, 256) notes that spindle whorls were more highly decorated during the Roman and Saxon periods compared to the medieval period.

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 50
Date to: Circa AD 1800

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Length: 27.35 mm
Width: 26.15 mm
Thickness: 7.3 mm
Weight: 32 g

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 12th April 2008

Personal details

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Other reference numbers

Other reference: E2214

Materials and construction

Primary material: Lead
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete

Spatial metadata

Region: South East (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: Hampshire (County)
District: Winchester (District)
To be known as: Winchester

Spatial coordinates

Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.

Discovery metadata

Method of discovery: Metal detector
General landuse: Cultivated land

References cited

Author	Publication Year	Title	Publication Place	Publisher	Pages	Reference
Egan, G.	1998	The Medieval Household: Daily Living c.1150-c.1450 (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London)	London	The Stationery Office	256
Margeson, S.	1993	Norwich Households: Medieval and Post-Medieval Finds from Norwich Survey Excavations 1971-78	Norwich	East Anglian Archaeology	184

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Timeline of associated dates

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Audit data

Recording Institution: HAMP
Created: 15 years ago
Updated: 13 years ago

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