There are currently no images available.
If you own this object please send us a picture of it.
PENCIL
Unique ID: NMS-758735
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Incomplete medieval to post-medieval writing lead, non-tapering and round in cross-section with one end trimmed to a point, and the other missing. Extant length 48mm. Diameter 6mm. Biddle 1990, 735-8 and 743-6. 12th - 16th century.
Writing leads like this follow the traditional shape of the earlier writing tablet styli, although it is unclear how effective a lead stylus would be for inscribing wax, and it seems more likely that they were used to make grey marks, as pencils. They are difficult to date as they have a long lifespan and examples of similar writing leads from Winchester ranged from 13th-15th century in date. However, it seems that some writing leads were also used in the post-medieval period and it is not inconceivable that this is later than medieval.
Field MB5
Class: writing lead
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1100
Date to: Circa AD 1600
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 48 mm
Diameter: 6 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 19th August 2016 - Monday 31st October 2016
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
SMR reference number: 35662
Other reference: SET102016
Materials and construction
Primary material: Lead
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
County or Unitary authority: Norfolk (County)
District: South Norfolk (District)
Parish or ward: Tacolneston (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: TM1594
Four figure Latitude: 52.50149147
Four figure longitude: 1.16621144
1:25K map: TM1594
1:10K map: TM19SE
Grid reference source: Centred on field
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: NMS-42245B
Object type: PENCIL
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
Incomplete medieval to post-medieval writing lead, non-tapering and round in cross-section with one end trimmed to a point, and the other mis…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: NMS-C70596
Object type: PENCIL
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
Incomplete medieval to post-medieval writing lead, round-sectioned, non-tapering, trimmed to a point, proximal end missing. Extant length 19.…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: NMS-930346
Object type: PENCIL
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
Medieval to post-medieval writing lead, round-sectioned, non-tapering, plain proximal end, distal end trimmed to a point. Length 39mm. Diamet…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618