Spindle whorl

Object/Artifact

-

Trimontium Museum

Edited from an original positive on film by ©National Museums Scotland.

Edited from an original positive on film by ©National Museums Scotland.

Name/Title

Spindle whorl

Entry/Object ID

X.FRA 468 A

Description

Domical lead spindle whorl, from the Roman site at Newstead (Trimontium), 200 BC - 1000 AD

Use

Spindle whorls were used in the process of spinning wool into thread or yarn. A spindle (a straight stick or dowel) was inserted through the central hole, with wool wrapped around it. The whorl acted as a flywheel to maintain momentum during spinning. They occur in a variety of shapes and materials, and are often the only surviving evidence of spinning activity.

Collection

National Museums Scotland

Category

Spindle whorl
Tools

Acquisition

Accession

X.FRA 468 A

Source (if not Accessioned)

National Museums Scotland

Made/Created

Time Period

2nd century

Notes

2nd century to 10th century

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Continent

Europe

Culture/Tribe

Romano British, Roman

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

1935.349

Dimensions

Diameter

1-1/16 in

Material

Lead

Color

Tan

Web Links and URLs

National Museums Scotland web link to artefact , Canmore web link to Newstead (Trimontium), Artefact page on NMS-SCRAN