Rights Holder: National Museums Liverpool
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Unique ID: LVPL-BBC4A4
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A complete cast lead or lead alloy flat spindle whorl, of Roman to Post Medieval dating (43 - 1650 AD).
The spindle whorl is sub circular in plan, and sub triangular (flat) in cross section. The central hole is sub circular in shape and has been cast off centre. The internal diameter of the hole measures 10.77 mm wide. No traces of decoration are present on either the upper or lower faces.
The whorl has a diameter of 26.11mm and is 4.33mm thick. It weighs 12.5 grams.
The whorl is of a light to mid grey colour, with an even surface patina. The whorl has suffered from a minor degree of abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil.
Spindle whorls, as an artefact type, can be hard to date accurately as they remained in use for a long period of time, however lead alloy spindle whorls of this type are normally attributed to the Medieval period (c. 1100 to 1450 AD). The weight of the spindle whorl is suggestive of a thin linen or wool fibre being spun, as there is a direct relationship between the weight of the whorl and the thickness of the resulting thread. Fine threads such as silk require a lighter whorl than those used to spun wool or linen.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 43
Date to: Circa AD 1650
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 4.33 mm
Weight: 12.5 g
Diameter: 26.11 mm
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Primary material: Lead Alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
4 Figure: SE6374
Four figure Latitude: 54.157957
Four figure longitude: -1.03675
1:25K map: SE6374
1:10K map: SE67SW
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
No references cited so far.