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SPINDLE WHORL
Unique ID: WMID-E4ADC6
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A complete lead or lead alloy discoidal decorated spindle whorl, of probable Medieval dating (AD 1100 to AD 1450).
The spindle whorl is sub circular in shape, and rectangular in section. One face has a row of raised pellets. The lower face is plain and undecorated. The central hole is circular in shape and has been cast / set slightly off centre. It has a internal diameter of 8.8 mm.
The whorl measures 25.5 mm in diameter, and 7.1 mm thick. It weighs 22.4 g.
The whorl is of a light to mid grey colour, with an even surface patina.
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. AD 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 actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 43
Date to: Circa AD 1650
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 7.1 mm
Weight: 22.4 g
Diameter: 25.5 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 6th October 2013
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: West Midlands (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Staffordshire (County)
District: Lichfield (District)
Parish or ward: Mavesyn Ridware (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SK0817
Four figure Latitude: 52.75055917
Four figure longitude: -1.88291791
1:25K map: SK0817
1:10K map: SK01NE
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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