Spindle Whorl age

[Riggers]

I know Spindle Whorls are really hard to date but just thought I’d ask about this one. Found my first one last weekend and found this one today - totally different size and shape. If anybody can tell me anything about the one I found today I would be very grateful. It was found in pasture on a footpath that was part of a Pilgrimage Route. Thank you very much

[Ringtop-grafter]

Late Viking to the 13th Century mate and always a nice piece of history to find

[Riggers]

Late Viking to the 13th Century mate and always a nice piece of history to find

No way!! That’s amazing!! Found it on the group dig today. Thanks so much mate - really happy with that find

[Macsen Wledig]

Late Viking to the 13th Century mate and always a nice piece of history to find

source?
I'm not necessarily disagreeing but I've never seen a definitive answer. From my own experience whorls like this have turned up alongside medieval hammereds but that is purely anecdotal and there is no guarantee the silver and lead where contempory.

[keeble]

Hi, does anyone know of anyone who collects spindle whorls? as age creeps up on one I wonder what will happen to my small collection. Just a hought

[Mattockswinga]

source?
I'm not necessarily disagreeing but I've never seen a definitive answer. From my own experience whorls like this have turned up alongside medieval hammereds but that is purely anecdotal and there is no guarantee the silver and lead where contempory.

Agreed. As these are almost entirely undiagnostic when cast in lead, especially when undecorated, they are almost impossible to date with examples excavated from secure Roman through to Tudor contexts.

Walton Rogers (2007) suggested that a central spindle aperture of sub 8mm would suggest a Roman date owing to use of a finer distaff, though she only really meant this to be applied to ceramic or stone examples rather than lead.

[Pedrosky]

Hi, does anyone know of anyone who collects spindle whorls? as age creeps up on one I wonder what will happen to my small collection. Just a hought

Local museum?

[Riggers]

Agreed. As these are almost entirely undiagnostic when cast in lead, especially when undecorated, they are almost impossible to date with examples excavated from secure Roman through to Tudor contexts.

Walton Rogers (2007) suggested that a central spindle aperture of sub 8mm would suggest a Roman date owing to use of a finer distaff, though she only really meant this to be applied to ceramic or stone examples rather than lead.

Thanks very much for all the information, very interesting. I’m realising that they aren’t easy to date at all. Appreciate your help

[Riggers]

Hi, does anyone know of anyone who collects spindle whorls? as age creeps up on one I wonder what will happen to my small collection. Just a hought

I know somebody who collects them and uses them for spinning, how many do you have? I could mention it to her. Thanks

[keeble]

Not that many about a couple of dozen or so, thanks for the interest

[Riggers]

Not that many about a couple of dozen or so, thanks for the interest

Thank you very much, if you do decide to sell them, let me know and I’ll tell her

[keeble]

cheers will do

[keeble]

Maybe I will post a pic of them all as well

[Riggers]

Maybe I will post a pic of them all as well

I’d love to see some photos of your collection

[Batman]

I think as said really used from roman to post medieval times so notoriously difficult to date.