Rights Holder: LCC
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
WEIGHT
Unique ID: LANCUM-DA8331
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
It has been noted that the weight of a spindle whorl is demostrative of the thickness of yarn produced, with lighter spindle whorls (3-5g) being used for spinning cotton and heavier ones (30-35g) for spinning wool (Margeson, S. 1993, 184). This example weighs 30.31g and so it seems likely that it would have been used to spin a heady material such as wool.
The dating of unstratified spindle whorls is difficult. However, Egan (1998, 256) has argued that there was an apparent lack of interest in developing decorative versions of spindle whorls during the Medieval period, compared to the decorative examples of Roman and Saxon periods. Although decorated examples are known from the Medieval period, it seems more likely that such a decorative example is earlier and this artefact (since it is undecorated) therefore dates to the Medieval period.
Class: Lead
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1000
Date to: Circa AD 1300
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 27 mm
Weight: 30.31 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Monday 1st January 1990 - Monday 1st January 1996
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: North West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Lancashire (County)
District: Ribble Valley (District)
Parish or ward: Clitheroe (Civil Parish)
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: LANCUM-143A58
Object type: WEIGHT
Broadperiod: ROMAN
A cylindrical lead weight with central perforation, possibly a net sinker or spindle whorl. While the sides and reverse are plain, the obverse…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: LANCUM-DA8F83
Object type: WEIGHT
Broadperiod: ROMAN
Roman or Medieval lead weight, most probably it would have been used as spindle whorl. However, it is mis-shapen, most probably miscast. The p…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: LANCUM-DA4293
Object type: WEIGHT
Broadperiod: ROMAN
Roman or Medieval lead weight, most probably used as spindle whorl. It is plano-convex with a central perforation and while one side is decora…
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