Redcastle

NH54NE 65 58 49

Biconical lead spindle whorl with decorated applied lead pellets and bands. This example is interesting in that the decoration has been applied by hand as opposed to cast in the

mould, suggesting a crude home-made attempt to copy finer cast examples. Lead spindle whorls are common finds by metal detectorists and belong to a category of artefact which has come to light in significant numbers, principally because of that activity. However, their dating and function remain obscure due to their absence from archaeological contexts. These lead examples are most frequently ascribed a medieval/post-medieval date. Claimed as Treasure Trove (TT 65/03) and allocated to Inverness Museum.

J Shiels 2004