Spindle whorl

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A spindle whorl was used in spinning wool. It was hung at the end of a spindle to act as a fly wheel. This example from Traprain Law in East Lothian was made from reused Roman samian ware pottery in the 2nd century AD.

The spindle whorl is imperfect, missing approximately one quarter of its fabric. It has a fragmentary manufacturer's mark reading 'D ...VS', and graffiti, perhaps the Roman owner's mark, reading 'TB'.

Writing was brought to Scotland by the Romans. Although many Roman soldiers could read and write to some extent, and marked their names on their belongings, the native population did not adopt literacy, relying instead on oral tradition.

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• Online ID: 000-100-039-569-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GV 820
• Date: Between 100 and 200 AD
  
• Material: Samian ware; edges rounded and perforated like a whorl; potter's mark; graffiti
  Pottery / base sherd / spindle whorl
  
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• What: Pottery / base sherd / spindle whorl
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
  
• Event:
• Description: Samian base sherd with graffiti, reused as a spindle whorl, from Traprain Law
  
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