Spindle whorl

A spindle whorl was used in spinning wool, hung at the end of a spindle to act as a fly wheel. This red sandstone example with an incised inscription resembling ogham was found at Broch of Burrian on North Ronaldsay in Orkney.

The ogham-like inscription may be coincidental, since other decorated whorls are known. However, an ogham-inscribed whorl was found elsewhere on Orkney, suggesting this may be a similar attempt by an illiterate person.

Ogham was a form of writing used by Celtic peoples in Britain and Ireland. Some people carved their names on their property, but most people were illiterate. Writing was often seen as a kind of magic spell.

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