File:?Medieval spindle whorl, reverse (FindID 96578).jpg

English: A circular cast lead-alloy object, probably a spindle whorl. The whorl has a shallow plano-convex form, with a flat base and a flattened top. The whorl is undecorated and its surface has suffered from wear and corrosion. The artefact measures 36.5mm in diameter with a spindle hole of diameter 8.75mm. There is a shallow circular indentation on the lower face between outer edge and spindle hole. On the upper face there are a pair of striations. It is 8.5mm in thickness and weighs 57.1 grams. 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 therefore seems likely that this very heavy 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.