2024-03-28T19:12:39+00:00https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/289230/format/qrcodehttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/289230/format/jsonhttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/289230/format/xmlhttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/289230/format/geojsonhttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/289230/format/pdfhttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/289230/format/rdfhttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/289230289230DENO-26AB570014B826C9F01976AMULETfossil spongehag stone480.8781Derby E68398POST MEDIEVAL16501800Spherical fossil sponge (called 'porosphaera', from the cretaceous period, 70-135 million years ago) with naturally occuring, slightly tapering, hole through it. Diameter c.78mm, diameter of perforation 12mm-10.5mm, weight 480.8g.
Wear around the edges of the hole may indicate that this has been suspended at some point, although the wear is not in the same position at both ends - possibly just damage.
Stones with holes through them are sometimes called hag stones and are thought to have amuletic powers, warding off withcraft/bad luck etc.
This was found buried beneath the floor of a 17th?/18th century building and may have been intended as a hag stone/ amulet.2010-02-22 11:38:072011-02-24 13:53:324012009-09-01Certain1360014B826C9F0197624DENOStone11794CompletePOST MEDIEVALPMx41047p0gjgrs6sgxBuilding work28847713688135161367241423Restricted AccessSK2853SK25SEWirksworth6100239852E6839 armstrong hag stone 1.jpg1676120Spherical fossil sponge, possible post-Medieval amuletDerby Museums Trust5images/ratherton/East MidlandsIn use as a buildingOtherEuropean RegionCountyDerbyshireDistrictDerbyshire DalesCivil Parish53.0788-1.57079Restricted Access95896