Record ID: SWYOR-2F0743
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A lead alloy spindle whorl which has a diameter of 25.3mm and is 9.3mm thick. It is biconvex with a central circular hole and both faces are decorated with radial forked lines executed in relief. Decorated spindle whorls are very rare finds in excavations, but are often found by metal detectorists. They are usually biconical and are decorated on both faces with raised dots and radiating or zig-zag ribs, as in this example. They have been found in plough soil over the site of Roman buildings, and in an excavated context dating from the thirteenth to the fifteenth century at an Austin F…
Created on: Tuesday 20th November 2007
Last updated: Wednesday 25th June 2014
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Tockwith', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SWYOR-2F13D2
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A lead alloy spindle whorl which has a diameter of 30.8mm and is 11.7mm thick. It is biconvex with a central circular hole and one face is decorated with radial lines with pellets between them, all executed in relief. The other face does not have clear decoration but it is not certain whether it is an extremely worn decorated face, a very badly cast decorated face or an uneven undecorated face. Decorated spindle whorls are very rare finds in excavations, but are often found by metal detectorists. They are usually biconical and are decorated on both faces with raised dots and radiating…
Created on: Tuesday 20th November 2007
Last updated: Wednesday 25th June 2014
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Tockwith', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LANCUM-F23D17
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete circular bi-conical cast lead-alloy object, possibly a spindle whorl dating from the later medieval period, i.e. 1400-1600. The lead weight is bi-conical in cross-section and has a circular central perforation. It seems to have been decorated with simple lines and dots on one side and dots and lines making up a Maltese Cross on the other. Lead weights like these are common finds, but only rarely from excavated contexts which is why date and origin are difficult to pinpoint. Though very rare finds in excavations, they are often found by metal detectorists. They are usuall…
Created on: Monday 3rd November 2008
Last updated: Wednesday 12th December 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Ripon', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SWYOR-706A52
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A lead alloy spindle whorl. The whorl has a flat base and a domed top with a central circular hole. There are some scratches and dents on the sides and faces. It has a diameter of 30.1mm and is 7.42mm thick. The whorl is in good condition with a creamy yellow patina. The top of the whorl is decorated with groups of chevrond and pellets. There is a slight groove in the middle of the wall of the central hole. The base is covered with raised radial lines. Decorated spindle whorls are very rare finds in excavations, but are often found by metal detectorists. They are usually biconical and…
Created on: Wednesday 21st January 2009
Last updated: Thursday 26th May 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SWYOR-C49EB3
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A lead alloy spindle whorl probably dating from the medieval period. It is circular and plano-convex, much more steeply angled on one face. Both faces are decorated with raised radial lines with pellets between them. There is also raised median rib. The cenral hole is large and sub-circular, with more wear on the shallower face. Decorated whorls are common finds but few come from dated contexts, but they are believed to be medieval. This one has a well developed white patina.
Created on: Tuesday 11th January 2011
Last updated: Friday 2nd March 2012
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SWYOR-2E8D56
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A cast lead alloy probable spindle whorl of unknown date. It has an outer diameter of 28.7mm (with its central perforation having a diameter of 8.4mm) and is 8.8mm thick. It weighs 46.5gm. There is no obvious sign of decoration. The edges of the whorl are slightly rounded at the corners, but in section it is rectangular. Due to the lack of significant features it is difficult to date the whorl, however, plain examples similar to this are known from Roman and early Medieval contexts whereas decorated examples are generally believed to be Medieval. Compare also NARC-736167.
Created on: Friday 28th January 2011
Last updated: Monday 31st January 2011
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SWYOR-3C8EF6
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A spindle whorl probably of medieval date, circa 1066 -1600 AD, made of lead alloy. The whorl is flat and circular in design with a hole through the centre which measures 8.71mm in diameter. On one face there is a pattern of raised line consisting of five chevrons with single lines between them which go around the top face, radiating from the centre. The whorl is 27.47mm in diameter, 8.26mm in thickness and weighs 34.21gm. The condition of the whorl is good and it has a creamy brown patina. There is no hole in the side wall of the central perforation.
Created on: Thursday 10th February 2011
Last updated: Friday 11th February 2011
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SWYOR-F6A223
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A lead alloy spindle whorl probably dating from the medieval period. It is plano-convex with a thickened median ridge. Both faces are decorated with seven raised radial ridges and groups of two or three raised pellets in each segment. The central hole tapers but there is no cavity in the side wall. This is a common type of spindle whorl, compare for example SWYOR-BDC721. Few have been found in dated contexts, but a medieval date of 1300 - 1500 is usually suggested. The whorl has a white patina.
Created on: Tuesday 15th March 2011
Last updated: Tuesday 20th March 2012
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SWYOR-283298
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A crude, lead alloy spindle whorl of uncertain date from the Roman to Medieval periods. The whorl is sub circular in plan and rectangular in section. The hole is off centre and slightly angled. One face is slightly hollowed. It would seem to fit into Coppergate type B1. Spindle whorls are very difficult to date as few are found in dated contexts.
Created on: Tuesday 18th May 2010
Last updated: Thursday 27th January 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SWYOR-C6E666
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A lead alloy cast spindle whorl probably dating from the medieval period. It is 29.7mm in diameter and 9.3mm thick. It weighs 33.74gm. It is plano convex with a large central aperture. There is a small hole in the side wall of the aperture. Both faces are decorated with a pattern of raised diagonal radial lines alternately with raised pellets.
Created on: Thursday 1st July 2010
Last updated: Tuesday 4th September 2012
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Selby', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SWYOR-EEEF25
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A cast, lead alloy spindle whorl of medieval date.It is worn, but there are faint traces of raised ribs and pellets on both faces. The median band is broad and pronounced. There is a small rectangular indentation within the wall of the central hole. It is 27.2mm in diameter and 12mm thick. It weighs 39.7gm.
Created on: Tuesday 27th July 2010
Last updated: Saturday 6th June 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SWYOR-244D94
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A lead alloy cast spindle whorl probably dating from the medieval period. It is plano convex with a large central aperture. There is an indentation in the side wall of the aperture. Both faces are decorated with a pattern of raised radial lines alternately with groups of three raised pellets. The whorl has a grey patina. It probably dates from 1066 - 1650, but whorls are difficult to date with any precision as few have been found in dated contexts. There are many similar examples on the PAS database.
Created on: Monday 23rd August 2010
Last updated: Thursday 22nd March 2012
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SWYOR-7E0524
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A small and plain lead alloy probably spindle whorl of uncertain date. If this is a spindle whorl, it is of Coppergate Form B which dates from the Iron Age to Medieval periods. The whorl is sub circular and rectangular in section. It has a circular, not quite central hole with straight sides. The face of the whorl is slightly raised round the hole on both faces. The lead has a deep white patina. If it is not a whorl, it would be a washer of some sort, or a perforated weight, maybe for fishing.
Created on: Friday 27th August 2010
Last updated: Thursday 27th January 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: LVPL-324A43
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
One half of a cast lead spindle whorl probably dating to the Medieval period, (1100-1500). The object is biconical and semi-circular in plan. Each surface is decorated with widely spaced ridges which radiate out from the central perforation. A single circular pellet separates the ridges. The object has a dark grey patina and appears to have been broken in antiquity. Similar examples of spindle whorls have reportedly been found in contexts dated from the Roman through to the Post-Medieval period although the majority is typically dated broadly to the medieval period c.1…
Created on: Wednesday 29th September 2010
Last updated: Friday 29th October 2010
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Buttercrambe', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SWYOR-1F4881
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A lead alloy spindle whorl probably dating from the medieval period. The whorl is plano convex with a thickened median rib. One face is decorated with raised dots and lines. The other is more worn, but appears not to be decorated. The central perforation has a maximum diameter of 11mm and has straight sides. There is a depression in the middle of the side wall of the perforation, probably indicating where the whorl was attached to the spindle. There is a gouge across one face of the whorl. Decorated whorls of this form are commonly thought to be medieval in date. The whorl has a light…
Created on: Wednesday 22nd June 2011
Last updated: Wednesday 3rd June 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SWYOR-1F6000
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete lead alloy probable spindle whorl of unknown date. The whorl was probably originally plano convex but is now very worn with much of the edge missing. The central circular perforation has a maximum diameter of 6-7mm. Undecorated whorls are difficult to date, and the damage to this example makes it even harder. The whorl has a creamy white patina.
Created on: Wednesday 22nd June 2011
Last updated: Wednesday 3rd June 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SWYOR-DCDC87
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A mis-cast lead alloy spindle whorl which is interesting as it is evidence of manufacture. The whorl is irregularly shaped and only half the thickness of a normal whorl. The mould must have slipped during casting as the central perforation is full of lead alloy, and there is a large flange projecting from one side. Opposite the flange, there is not enough metal and the edge of the whorl is missing. The face of the whorl is decorated with moulded raised radiating ribs. The reverse is rough and irregular, suggesting that the other half of the mould was not in place. There is also an imp…
Created on: Friday 1st July 2011
Last updated: Friday 5th June 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SWYOR-6CFD74
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A lead alloy spindle whorl probably dating from the medieval period. The whorl is plano convex with a thickened median rib. Both faces are decorated with raised radial lines with pellets between them. The central perforation has a maximum diameter of 9.05mm and there is a circular depression in the side wall thought to be for attachment to the spindle. Decorated whorls of this form are commonly thought to be medieval. The whorl has a creamy white patina. Diameter: 29.04mm; Thickness: 10.86mm; Weight: 33.54g. See also PAS record ID SWYOR-1F00E0.
Created on: Monday 1st August 2011
Last updated: Tuesday 2nd August 2011
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SWYOR-D15888
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A worn and damaged lead alloy spindle whorl dating from the 6th century onwards. It is sub circular with one flat face and one convex face. It has a large central hole which is 8.5mm in diameter and it does not have a peg hole in the side of the wall. The whorl has a well developed patina. Whorls of this shape were used in the 6th century (Coppergate type A1) and had central holes of this diameter (see page 25 of Walton Rogers, 2007). However, they could also have been used in the Medieval period. They are extremely difficult to date without a context.
Created on: Thursday 18th August 2011
Last updated: Thursday 27th January 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: LVPL-07BC11
Object type: SPINDLE WHORL
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete cast lead or lead alloy flat spindle whorl, of Roman to Post Medieval dating (43 - 1650 AD). The spindle whorl is sub circular in plan, and rectangular (flat) in cross section. The central hole is sub circular in shape and has been cast off centre. The internal diameter of the hole measures 10.43 mm wide. No traces of decoration are present on either the upper or lower faces. The whorl has a diameter of 26.78mm and is 11.24mm thick. It weighs 49.8 grams. The whorl is of a light to mid grey colour, with an even surface patina. The whorl has suffered from a …
Created on: Wednesday 14th September 2011
Last updated: Thursday 28th March 2013
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Ryedale', grid reference and parish protected.