Record ID: LANCUM-9E3EF1
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete circular biconical cast lead-alloy weight, probaby a spindle whorl dating from the Roman period judging by the form and grey patina, i.e. AD72-410. The lead weight is biconical in cross-section with a rounded base and top. It is decorated with a simple pattern of a rough chevrons. The weight is 28mm in diameter and weighs 23.5g. Lead weights like these are common finds, but only rarely from excavated contexts which is why date and origin are difficult to pinpoint. Decorated lead-alloy weights are very rare finds in excavations, but are often found by metal detectorists. T…
Created on: Tuesday 28th June 2011
Last updated: Wednesday 29th June 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'WISWELL ', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LANCUM-E6DD16
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Cast lead weight. Square base with rectangular body shape and a tapered head terminus with a sub-oval hole to allow attachment. Possibly Roman in date due to the nature of the site where recovered. Too heavy to weigh on scales. Greater than 200 grams in weight.
Created on: Wednesday 18th January 2006
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Lancashire', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LANCUM-E6ED21
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Possible lead weight. Oval in plan. Semi-circular in section due to a flat base and rounded top. Possibly Roman in date due to the nature of the site of recovery.
Created on: Wednesday 18th January 2006
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Lancashire', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LANCUM-09AAD8
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A lead plano-convex lead weight, probably a spindle whorl. It has a central perforation and it is decorated with what is possibly a moulded five-pointed star in relief. Lead weights like these are common finds and it has been noted that (if it is a spindle whorl), the weight of the spindle whorl is demonstrative of the thickness of yarn produced, with lighter spindle whorls (3-5g) being used for spinning cotton and the heavier ones (30-35g) for spinning wool (Margeson 1993, 184). This example weighs 31.72g, so it seems likely that it would have been used to spin a heavy material such …
Created on: Monday 13th February 2006
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Preston', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LANCUM-2C4D01
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Plain crescent-shaped (or 1/2 of a) lead weight. It does not bear any official markings and if it was not used as a home made lead weight, its use must remain uncertain.
Created on: Friday 16th June 2006
Last updated: Wednesday 20th February 2013
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Garstang', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LANCUM-2CD168
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Several lead-alloy weights of different sizes and shapes (see attached picture). They were all found in the same corner of a field, but did not form part of a hoard. They almost certainly date from different periods from Late Roman to the Medieval Ages, were home-made and may have been used as spindle whorls, net sinkers, gaming pieces weights for traps or as part of weighing equipment. It is difficult to attribute an exact date to the individual weights. Many thanks to the finders for supplying the attached picture.
Created on: Friday 16th June 2006
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Barnoldswick', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LANCUM-BD4AC1
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Conical cast lead weight, probably a home-made steelyard weight.
Created on: Wednesday 5th July 2006
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Preston', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LANCUM-BD55C3
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Published
A lead weight spindle whorl (or possibly net sinker or trap weight) of conical shape. The spindle whorl is 29mm in diameter with a central perforation that is 9mm in diameter. If decorated, the decoration is hard to make out: it probably consisted of random lines in relief on the diagonal surface. It has been noted that the weight of a spindle whorl is demonstrative of the thickness of yarn produced, with lighter spindle whorls (3 - 5 grams) being used for spinning cotton and the heavier ones (30 - 35 grams) for spinning wool (Margeson 1993, page 184). This example weighs 41.47 grams…
Created on: Wednesday 5th July 2006
Last updated: Monday 24th October 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Preston', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LANCUM-BD7455
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A lead plano-convex spindle whorl. The spindle whorl is 26mm in diameter with a central perforation that is 7mm in diameter. While one side of the whorl is decorated with groups of two or three dots set apart by lines in relief, the other is decoration with a criss/cross of lines making up several overlaying star shapes, formed around the perforation. It has been noted that the weight of a spindle whorl is demonstrative of the thickness of yarn produced, with lighter spindle whorls (3 - 5 grams) being used for spinning cotton and the heavier ones (30 - 35 grams) for spinning wool (Mar…
Created on: Wednesday 5th July 2006
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Preston', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LANCUM-BD7AD1
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Small, flat lead weight (net sinker or trap weight) or spindle whorl. The surface is very smooth and worn; the decoration, if any, hardly recognisable. It has been noted that the weight of a spindle whorl is demonstrative of the thickness of yarn produced, with lighter spindle whorls (3 - 5 grams) being used for spinning cotton and the heavier ones (30 - 35 grams) for spinning wool (Margeson 1993, page 184). This example weighs 10.66 grams, so it seems likely that it would have been used to spin a lighter material such as cotton. The dating of unstratified spindle whorls is very diffic…
Created on: Wednesday 5th July 2006
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Preston', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LANCUM-BD7DB4
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A plain cylindrical spindle whorl, cast from lead. The spindle whorl is 32mm in diameter with a central perforation that is 7mm in diameter. It has been noted that the weight of a spindle whorl is demonstrative of the thickness of yarn produced, with lighter spindle whorls (3 - 5 grams) being used for spinning cotton and the heavier ones (30 - 35 grams) for spinning wool (Margeson 1993, page 184). This example weighs 49.24 grams, so it seems likely that it would have been used to spin a heavy material such as wool. The dating of unstratified Spindle whorls is very difficult. However, …
Created on: Wednesday 5th July 2006
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Preston', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LANCUM-BD80A3
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A small plain lead cylindrical weight or spindle whorl. It has been noted that the weight of a spindle whorl is demonstrative of the thickness of yarn produced, with lighter spindle whorls (3 - 5 grams) being used for spinning cotton and the heavier ones (30 - 35 grams) for spinning wool (Margeson 1993, page 184). This example weighs 17.74 grams, so it seems likely that it would have been used to spin a material of medium weight such as thin wool. The dating of unstratified spindle whorls is very difficult. However, Egan (1998, page 256) has argued that there was an apparent lack of i…
Created on: Wednesday 5th July 2006
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Preston', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LANCUM-BDA2E4
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A lead plano-convex spindle whorl. The spindle whorl is 33mm in diameter with a central perforation that is 9mm in diameter. The whorl is decorated on both sides with raised dots and lines radiating from the centre. It has been noted that the weight of a spindle whorl is demonstrative of the thickness of yarn produced, with lighter spindle whorls (3 - 5 grams) being used for spinning cotton and the heavier ones (30 - 35 grams) for spinning wool (Margeson 1993, page 184). This example weighs 32.23grams, so it seems likely that it would have been used to spin a heavy material such as wo…
Created on: Wednesday 5th July 2006
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Preston', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LANCUM-BDC724
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A lead plano-convex spindle whorl. The surface is very smooth and worn; the decoration hardly recognisable. It was probably decorated with criss/cross lines in relief, one line around the central perforation, the other around the external edge. It has been noted that the weight of a spindle whorl is demonstrative of the thickness of yarn produced, with lighter spindle whorls (3 - 5 grams) being used for spinning cotton and the heavier ones (30 - 35 grams) for spinning wool (Margeson 1993, page 184). This example weighs 33 grams, so it seems likely that it would have been used to…
Created on: Wednesday 5th July 2006
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Kirkby Lonsdale', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LANCUM-D94664
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Medieval lead weight, mis-shapen (probably miscast). It looks like the final object should have been a plano convex spindle whorl, but the pieces of the mould probablz got misaligned during the casting process, and half the lead spilled out while the other half produced one half of the spindle whorl. The end product would have had one side decorated with a star shape and the other with a sun-ray pattern. These spindle whorls (lead weights) are difficult to date but it seems that the decorated version are more likely to be earlier, e.g. Roman or Saxon.
Created on: Monday 13th June 2005
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
No spatial data available.

Record ID: LANCUM-DA4293
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Roman or Medieval lead weight, most probably used as spindle whorl. It is plano-convex with a central perforation and while one side is decorated with a simple relief of 'sun rays' around the central perforation, the others bears a rune-like pattern made up of multiple mouldings of the 'algiz' rune (z). However, it is probably just a geometrical pattern, not actually the rune. 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…
Created on: Monday 13th June 2005
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
No spatial data available.

Record ID: LANCUM-DA7511
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Roman or Medieval lead weight, most probably used as spindle whorl. It is plano-convex with a central perforation and while one side is decorated with a simple relief of 'sun rays' and criss/cross pattern around the central perforation, the others bears a row of small dots on relief. 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 27.41g and so it seems likely that it would…
Created on: Monday 13th June 2005
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
No spatial data available.

Record ID: LANCUM-DA8F83
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Roman or Medieval lead weight, most probably it would have been used as spindle whorl. However, it is mis-shapen, most probably miscast. The perforation is not intact and the reverse of the whorl has not been cast properly - perhaps the pieces of the mould got mis-aligned during the casting process and thus the then liquid lead could not be cast into its final shape. Thus, this object is propably a wasteproduct which for whatever reason did not re-enter the recycling process. The decoration is very faint on the surviving surface and may have comprised of a star. It has been noted…
Created on: Monday 13th June 2005
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
No spatial data available.

Record ID: LANCUM-143A58
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A cylindrical lead weight with central perforation, possibly a net sinker or spindle whorl. While the sides and reverse are plain, the obverse is decorated with a rough grid and dots (between the lines) in relief. The most likely identification is that of a spindle whorl. 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 the heavier ones (30-35g) for spinning wool (Margeson 1993, 184). This example weighs 22.07g so it seems likely that it was used for spinning hea…
Created on: Monday 3rd October 2005
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
No spatial data available.

Record ID: LANCUM-F4E736
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Possibly a Roman steelyard weight in shape of Venus' head(?). The weight is made from bronze but the weight suggests that it was filled with lead(?). The head is finely carved with fine, classic features. On her head she is 'balancing' a bag or sack(?). The interpretation as steelyard weight derives from the object's shape and weight; however, the finder suggested it may have been part of a table's, chair's or chest's foot(?).
Created on: Monday 7th November 2005
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded.