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Spindle whorl

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From Traprain Law, East Lothian

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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