Copyright Sheffield Galleries & Museums Trust
Spindle whorls from Roystone Grange
Copyright Sheffield Galleries & Museums Trust
Spindle whorls from Roystone Grange
Dimensions : Diameter 2.7-3.6cm, thickness 1-2cm. Weight (left to right) 13 g and 21g.
Site name : Roystone Grange
Site type : Industrial production site; Living site
Time period : Medieval
Material : Stone
Object type : Household item; Tool
Museum number : 1997.1.GRANGE.12
These two spindle whorls were found during excavations at Roystone Grange during the 1980s.
Spindle whorls were an essential tool for making woollen yarn. They were weights which were fitted to spindles. Spindles were used to spin the raw wool into yarn. The spindle is spun to twist the wool. This twisted or spun wool is the yarn. The whorl keeps the spindle turning as long as possible.
These ones are made of stone. Pottery, bone and lead were also used.
Bibliography :
Hodges, R. , 1991a
Wild, J. P. , 1988
Glossary:
Excavation
Neolithic
Spindle whorl
Related objects
Lucet from Roystone Grange
Two weights from Brough
Modern sheep skull
Sheep bones from Roystone Grange
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