File:?Medieval spindle whorl, obverse (FindID 96628).jpg

English: A circular cast lead-alloy object, probably a spindle whorl. The whorl is discoidal in form and rectangular in section with a flat base and top. The whorl is seemingly undecorated although it has also suffered from considerable corrosion. The artefact measures 31.0mm in diameter with a spindle hole with a diameter of 10.6mm. The spindle hole is slightly off-centred. The spindle whorl is 6.85mm in thickness and weighs 39.5g. It has been pointed out that the weight of a spindle whorl is suggestive 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, 184). It is therefore suggest that this example was used for spinning wool. The dating of unstratified spindle whorls is very 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 known from the Roman and Saxon periods. Furthermore, Egan (1998, 261) has also suggested that there may have been an increase in the use of heavier whorls in the late medieval period cope with thicker yarn. It seems likely therefore that this spindle whorl dates from the medieval period.