Rights Holder: York Museums Trust
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Unique ID: YORYM-E160E3
Object type certainty: Probably
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
An incomplete whetstone, dating to the early Medieval to Medieval period (c.AD 700-1400). The object is broadly rectangular in plan, and triangular in cross section. It is dark brown in colour with very fine micaerous inclusions. A number of linear striations are present on all sides which reveal a light coloured stone underneath. It has a worn break at each terminal, and it is likely that it was pierced at one end and the break has exposed the aperture. It is likely that this hone would have been suspended around the neck by means of the hole at one terminal.
Stuart Ogilvy (geologist) has looked at this object and states that it is mudstone/shale. The finder notes that it may be fine grained pylite.
The whetstone measures 55.46mm in length 10.18mm in width, 8.26mm in thickness and weighs 6.71g.
See KENT-CCE2E7 which states: Very similar examples are known from Viking York(AY17/14, e.g. 9329) from 9th to 11th century contexts, but the shape and size continues into the Medieval period, with examples illustrated from Winchester in Biddle (1990,nos 3034, 3035) coming from fourteenth century contexts and some from Salisbury (Drinkwater in Saunders 1991:172, fig 47, no. 19 and 20) dated to the 12th century. See SF-469FF2 and WAW-C6C886 on this database for similar examples.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Middle
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 700
Date to: Circa AD 1400
Quantity: 1
Length: 55.46 mm
Width: 10.18 mm
Thickness: 8.26 mm
Weight: 6.71 g
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Other reference: YMT:E04923
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
No references cited so far.