Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
PENCIL
Unique ID: NMS-1DF422
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Medieval or post-medieval lead pencil or writing lead, oval-sectioned, damaged above pointed end, other end flattened, broadening out into a perforated triangular eraser, Length 74mm, shaft thickness 6mm, length of sharpening for point 10mm, length of eraser approx. 16m, eraser width 11mm.
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 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.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: AD 1200
Date to: AD 1600
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 74 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Monday 27th September 2004
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Materials and construction
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: NMS-7937F4
Object type: PENCIL
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
Two incomplete medieval to post-medieval writing leads, round-sectioned with flattened pierced proximal ends, one with the point missing (ext…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: NMS-CB7543
Object type: PENCIL
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
Medieval to post-medieval writing lead with a sub-circular section that becomes almost D-shaped before the point. There is a blind hole in th…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: NMS-EE020E
Object type: PENCIL
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
Two medieval to post-medieval writing leads:
round-sectioned, proximal half of consistent diameter (5mm), length 76mm. Biddle 1990, uncl…
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