Spindle whorle

Biconical spindle whorl made of Volhynian slate, a slightly pink coloured rock which was mined during the Viking Age in the area around Ovruch, in the region of Kyiv in modern day Ukraine. Spindle whorls of this material have been found in a number of locations in Scandinavia, particularly in urban or proto-urban environments. This includes more than 200 finds in Sigtuna. This is evidence of extensive close contacts in the East. In the countryside, however, such finds of spindle whorls are unusual. Settlement find, Svarta Jorden, Birka, Adelsö Parish, Uppland.

Image rights: Ola Myrin, Historiska museet/SHM (CC BY 4.0)

Object number: 270338_HST

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