REPORT ON THE STAPENHILL EXPLORATIONS. 183 
occurrence at these places was well known to the early in- 
habitants of this island, by whom it was much prized for purposes 
of ornamentation. 
Before the introduction of the spinning-wheel, and when the 
distaff was in use, the spindle and its accompanying whorl were 
common domestic appliances. In the process of spinning, the 
thread was inserted in a nick on the top or side of the spindle so 
as to keep the part that had been spun firm in its position while 
the newly-drawn portion of the wool was being twisted ; the thread 
was then released from the slit, an additional portion wound on 
the spindle, and a new portion spun or whirled round as before. 
In order to give the necessary impetus or spin to the yarn in the 
revolutions that twisted it into thread, a more or less heavy 
perforated disc was used, and it is this that is termed the “ spindle 
whorl.” Through the central hole of the disc was fastened the 
sharpened end of the wooden or bone spindle, the part below the 
whorl tapering to a point, so as to be readily twirled between the 
finger and thumb. Many such spindle-whorls have been found in 
the graves of Saxon women. ‘These spindle whorls vary much in 
size and weight, as well as in material, being usually from 1 inch 
to 13 inches in diameter, though occasionally as much as even 3 
inches, and are composed of bone, glass, crystal, lead, stone, or 
ware. 
One article found at Stapenhill seems to be rather unique in its 
way. At the bottom of the cinerary urn, Aizd Vo. 11, was an 
article made from a deer’s horn (Plate V., Fig. 6), and which, for 
want of a better term, has been described as a spindle-whorl, or 
amulet. I think it more than probable that it served rather as an 
amulet or charm worn round the neck than as a whorl; and the 
peculiar style of ornament on it seems to confirm this, for a 
decorated spindle-whorl has rarely, if ever, been found. The 
following extract from Kemble’s Hore Ferales goes very far, I 
think, to prove my surmise :— 
“* The recurrence of this particular ornament upon articles of 
bone or horn at all periods, and in almost all places, is very 
remarkable. You will find it alike upon Egyptian, Etruscan, and 
