NET SINKER

Lead Net Sinkers. Fourteen improvised lead weights (a-n) found in a spiral arrangement in the top of a pit of estimated diameter c.30cm. The fill of the pit was slightly greyer than the surrounding soil, with a single piece of toffee coloured chert close to its centre, probably a fortuitous position. Weight (a) was at the outer end of the arrangement, and Weight (n) at its centre. The two heaviest weights (m and n) were at the centre. This arrangement may suggest the weights were strung on a line at intervals of c.50mm, or along the selvedge of a net. The latter suggestion is advanced because if the weights had been deposited alone or on a string, there would be no need for them to follow such a course or take up so much space. However, if a net had been rolled up and folded, perhaps in concertina fashion, with its selvedge at one end, this pattern might result. The use of perforated, slashed or angular objects implies their tied attachment; for a fishing net eel skin ties might be used. The reason for burial of the group is unknown; if associated with fishing, the putative net may have been concealed by a poacher. Suggested date: probably Post-Medieval, 1500-1600 (though see note below).

The weights are catalogued below, and where either their form or mass may indicate a primary date or function for the object this is stated. The variety of form and primary use hints at collection and improvised use; some are older than others, though all are now patinated overall. The finder deserves particular congratulation for recording of his discovery with appropriate care.

a: Lead Weight. Cast plano-convex weight with seven flat triangular radial facets around a central drilled aperture of diameter 2.5mm on its convex side, and with slightly bevelled sides beyond the edge of the facetted area. The mass could suggest this to represent ten (slightly overweight) Scandinavian units of 4.07gms, as used for Viking Age bullion transactions. A comparable form of about three times the mass, with eight radii dividing a convex surface into seven planes, is illustrated among 'bun shaped weights' of indeterminate date (Biggs and Withers 2000, pages 21-23, no. 28). Suggested date: possibly Early Medieval, 865-1000. Diameter: 25.7mm, Thickness: 11.5mm, Weight: 42.05gms.

b: Lead Spindle Whorl. Cast cylindrical whorl made in an open mould with a central moulded aperture of diameter 11.6mm. The form matches Walton Rogers form B, which while known from the 8th century became common from the later 10th century at Coppergate, York. The wide aperture tends to argue against an Anglo-Saxon date. The mass might indicate this would be used to ply a cord. Suggested date: Early Medieval, 950-1000. Diameter: 26.3mm, Thickness: 10.7mm, Weight: 43.75gms.

c: Lead Spindle Whorl. Cast cylindrical whorl with a central moulded aperture of diameter 12.5mm, Walton Rogers form B. Two slight gashes on the lower side - as cast -might indicate notching for tied fastening. The mass suggests an original use plying cord. Suggested date: Early Medieval, 950-1000. Diameter: 31.4mm, Thickness: 10.6mm, Weight: 57.33gms.

d: Lead Spindle Whorl. Cast plano-convex or conical whorl with central moulded aperture of diameter 6.5mm, Walton Rogers form A1. The small aperture is typical of Early to Middle Saxon whorls, and its mass would permit this object to be used to spin a yarn. Suggested date: Early Medieval, 700-850. Diameter: 19.9mm, Thickness: 12.4mm, Weight: 17.68gms.

e: Lead Spindle Whorl. Cast biconvex whorl with a moulded central aperture of diameter 11.6mm. Decoration comprises a series of twelve pellets following a moulded rim. The biconvex form and pelleted decoration would normally indicate a post-medieval date, though the decoration lacks the radial lines which normally accompany pellets on whorls of that date, and the form is less angular in profile. The generous aperture size tends to suggest a date after c.850, and would also be quite normal for a later whorl. Two cuts on the decorated side and one cut and one worn hollow on the plain side could relate to a tied fastening passing through the aperture, probably on more than one occasion. Suggested date: possibly Post-Medieval, 1500-1600. Diameter: 30.4mm, Thickness: 7.3mm, Weight: 32.42gms.

f: Lead Spindle Whorl. Cast biconvex whorl with an agular profile and a central moulded aperture of diameter 11.2mm. Relief decoration on one side comprises radial lines defining sub-rectangular compartments; the other side is perhaps facetted, which may indicate the loss of similar decoration to heavy and differential wear. Suggested date: Post-Medieval, 1500-1600. Diameter: 30.8mm, Thickness: 12.5mm, Weight: 43.89gms.

g: Lead Spindle Whorl. Cast discoid whorl made in an open mould with a central moulded aperture of diameter 12.0mm. This whorl is unusually thin, though its mass compares to that of the others it was found with. The form could relate this to Walton Rogers form B, while the mass would make a primary use plying cord likely. Suggested date: Unknown, 850-1600. Diameter: 35.5mm, Thickness: 5.6mm, Weight: 50.63gms.

h: Lead Spindle Whorl. Cast cylindrical whorl, probably made in an open mould, with an off-centre moulded aperture of diameter 10.7mm, Walton Rogers form B. Suggested date: Early Medieval, 850-1000. Diameter: 26.6mm, Thickness: 8.5mm, Weight: 34.71gms.

i: Lead possible Spindle Whorl. Cast discoid plano-convex whorl with a central aperture of diameter 5.2mm, Walton Rogers form A1. The aperture is just below the minimum size suggested as apt to a spindle whorl of this type, so an identification as a weight or counter might also be entertained. If a whorl, the date could be Early Medieval, 700-850, and the mass would make this apt to the spinning of a yarn. Diameter: 22mm, Thickness: 7.9mm, Weight: 19.79gms.

j: Lead Weight. Cast irregularly discoid and possibly plano-convex weight with an off-centre drilled aperture of diameter 4mm. The mass is just below one averdepois ounce (of 28.4mm) - and would have slightly exceeded it if the aperture had been added (and its contents therefore deducted) to enable use as a net sinker. Suggested date: Late Medieval to Post-Medieval, 1450-1600. Diameter: 26.7mm, Thickness: 7.5mm, Weight: 27.49gms.

k: Lead Metal Working Debris. A failed casting probably made in a two piece open mould with a separate base from which metal has leaked during the casting process. This is shown by the atypical sinkage of metal on the upper surface as cast, and the extrusion of solidified melt at the base. The annular cylindrical object being made would usually be identified as a spindle whorl with a central moulded aperture of diameter tapering from 10.3mm at the top as made to 9.3mm, possibly Walton Rogers form B. Suggested date: Unknown, Early Medieval to Post-Medieval, 850-1600. Diameter: 23.5mm, Thickness: 11mm, Length (as leaked from mould): 29.6mm, Weight: 39.64gms.

l: Lead Spindle Whorl. Cast biconical whorl with central moulded aperture of diameter 8.7mm. There is a thickened circumferential rim where the two halves of the whorl meet. One side is apparently plain, the other bears relief decoration comprising radial lines separating groups of three pellets in triangular arrangements. The aperture is lightly burred over around its edge on one side, and bears a deep gash which was inflicted in antiquity on the other. The former would necessarily post-date use as a spindle whorl, while the latter might have been added as a tying groove to facilitate reuse as a net sinker. Suggested date: Post-Medieval, 1500-1600. Diameter: 25.7mm, Thickness: 15mm, Weight: 43.69gms.

m: Lead Weight. Cast rectangular weight. The sides and top illustrate the dribbling of lead into an open rectangular mould. The mass could indicate this to have represented twenty Hiberno-Norse units of 4.43gms, as used for bullion transactions, though both the rectangular form and an unfinished appearance would be unusual for weights of that period. A deep knife-cut slash along one side is probably a tying groove, and supplements adjacent casting irregularities which might have been put to the same use. Suggested date: Unknown, 850-1600. Length: 32.8mm, Width: 17.6mm, Height (as cast): 24.8mm, Weight: 87.58gms.

n: Lead Unidentified Object, reused as a weight. Cast object with straight sides and a smooth possible under-surface, and with a flange above these. The appearance is of a simple vessel leg or trivet foot removed from its setting by cutting the vessel wall where the leg met it. Two aligned gashes in the upper surface could represent the addition of a tying notch. Suggested date: Unknown, 40-1600. Length: 35mm, Width: 24.9mm, Height: 25mm, Weight: 69.17gms.