Dating spindle whorls

How do you date a spindle whorl?

Within the Roman period, if a spindle whorl has been made from a vessel sherd, an earliest date can be suggested by the ware used, where known.

What is an spindle whorl and why are they important?

Spindle whorls are not necessary for making cords or threads, although they vastly improve the process, and they appear in the archaeological record during the Neolithic period worldwide at various times (the Neolithic package including agriculture and other complexities appeared in different places at different times around the world).

How old are stoneware spindle whorls?

Stoneware spindle whorls were common in the first half of the 16th century ( Gaimster 1997, 248-250; fig. 104), possibly within a wider date range ( Hurst and Moorhouse 1981 ).

Are there any lead spindle whorls from Colchester?

There are no lead spindle-whorls from Colchester (see Crummy 1983, 67). It seems that thinner spindles were used in this and the preceding Iron Age period, as compared to later, and that spindle whorls of Roman date can be expected to have perforations c. 4-8 mm in diameter.

What is a spindle whorl?

A spindle whorl is a disc or spherical object fitted onto the spindle to increase and maintain the speed of the spin. Historically, whorls have been made of materials like amber, antler, bone, ceramic, coral, glass, stone, metal (iron, lead, lead alloy), and wood (oak).

What is a whorl on a spinning wheel?

Spinning with a whorl (c) on a spindle (b) and distaff (above) A spindle whorl is a disc or spherical object fitted onto the spindle to increase and maintain the speed of the spin. For ages the whorls have been made of many different materials: amber, antler, bone, coral, glass, metal (iron, lead, lead alloy), and wood (oak).

How is a spindle made in spinning?

In spinning, a weaver builds a spindle by inserting a wooden dowel through the hole in a spindle whorl. The raw fibers of plants or animal wool (called roving) are attached to the dowel, and the spindle is then made to rotate, in a clockwise or counterclockwise fashion, twisting and compressing the fibers as it collects them on top of the whorl.

How old are stoneware spindle whorls?

Stoneware spindle whorls were common in the first half of the 16th century ( Gaimster 1997, 248-250; fig. 104), possibly within a wider date range ( Hurst and Moorhouse 1981 ).