DISC

Knapped sandstone disc, of unknown use and unknown date. Unlike many of the other stone discs in the locale, a great deal of care has gone into the creation of this object and it differs from them in that respect. It is a more accurate circle and has been knapped in a very precise fashion that produces a consistently angled chamfer around its edge. It is also a lot thinner than the other discs.

A number of uses have been posited for these objects. One is pot lids, but they show few signs of burning or sooting or any effects of heat, and pot sherds would make better lids. However they all show a degree of wear. Stone discs were used from the C19 until about 70 years ago for a stone rolling game from Bradford to Pendle. This is consistent with edge wear. At Wycoller, near Colne, they were placing bets on how far they would roll. It should be noted that they only used them for this purpose because there were so many knocking around. There has been no record that the participants knew of the original purpose of the discs, though I suspect they must have if their origin is post medieval. New ones appear to have been made for the game on occasion. It is hard to see how the disc recorded here could have been used in this manner. Shaped stone discs more akin to this artefact have been found in apparent Roman and Pictish contexts elsewhere in Britain. Their original purpose remains speculation.

Diameter 48 to 51mm, thickness 8mm, weight 36.8g.

There are images of other stone discs from the Pendle/Thursden area attached to LANCUM-DCBBF5. See also LANCUM-D53456

If anyone knows anything about these objects, it would be appreciated if they would share this information.