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Spindle whorls

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From Jarlshof, Traprain Law, Barra, Fishigarry, Newstead and Camelon

Spindle whorls
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These spindle whorls of different materials come from Jarlshof on Shetland, Traprain Law in East Lothian, Dun Cuier on Barra in the Outer Hebrides, Foshigarry on North Uist in the Outer Hebrides, Newstead in Roxburghshire and Camelon in Stirlingshire.

These spindle whorls illustrate the range of materials used. They include steatite, baked clay, reused pottery fragments (native and Roman), bone and lead. They are very similar in form despite the wide differences in date.

Spindle whorls were hung at the end of wool, to act as a flywheel as it was spun into yarn using a spindle. They occur in a range of shapes and materials, as illustrated here. Spindle whorls are often the only evidence preserved of spinning.

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