Rights Holder: Derby Museums Trust
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Unique ID: DENO-ED45C3
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A complete lead or lead alloy convex spindle whorl, of Roman to Post Medieval dating (c. AD 43 - c. AD 1650).
The spindle whorl is sub circular in shape, and D shaped in cross section. The central hole is broadly circular in plan and has been cast slightly off centre. The internal diameter of the hole measures 8.2 mm wide. The upper face is domed and the lower face is flat. No traces of decoration are present on either the upper or lower faces.
The whorl has a diameter of 24.5 mm and is 10.8 mm thick. It weighs 34.0 g.
The whorl is of a light to mid grey colour, with an even surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail.
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 AD1450). The weight of the spindle whorl is suggestive of a thin wool thread 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. Other examples of this type of spindle whorl have been recorded on the database, including WMID-C656E4 and DENO-EC3A41.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: UNKNOWN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 43
Date to: Circa AD 1650
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 10.8 mm
Weight: 34 g
Diameter: 24.5 mm
Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 25th April 2015 - Saturday 25th April 2015
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Other reference: Derby E8071
4 Figure: SK3650
Four figure Latitude: 53.04606008
Four figure longitude: -1.46446302
1:25K map: SK3650
1:10K map: SK35SE
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.