Spindle Whorl

Object/Artifact

-

Trimontium Museum

Name/Title

Spindle Whorl

Entry/Object ID

L.2021.180

Description

Stone spindle whorl, circular, part of the Cruickshank collection of finds from Newstead, Roxburghshire

Use

Spindle whorls were used to make thread. A dowel would be inserted though the hole with wool wrapped around it. The whorl would then be spun in order to make the thread.

Context

The soldiers and their families would be required to make and maintain their own clothing. In order to create thread to sew, they would need spindle whorls to do this.

Collection

National Museums Scotland

Category

Spindle whorl
Tools

Acquisition

Accession

X.2000.17.310

Source (if not Accessioned)

National Museums Scotland

Notes

Loan

Made/Created

Time Period

1st - 2nd century

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Continent

Europe

Culture/Tribe

Romano British

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Whorl, Spindle

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Textile Manufacturing Equipment

Nomenclature Class

Textileworking T&E

Nomenclature Category

Category 04: Tools & Equipment for Materials

Getty AAT

Concept

whorls (spindle flywheels)

Other Names and Numbers

Other Numbers

Number Type

Previous Accession Number

Other Number

X.FRA 5238

Material

Stone

Color

Tan

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Exhibition

Permanent Exhibition

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Exhibition Caption

Label

The round spindle whorl weighted the bottom of a spindle as it was spun, gradually twisting wool fibres into yarn. The combs may have been used for patting the yarn into place during weaving.