Spindle Whorl Fragment
Source: Institute of Archaeology, Iceland
This simple contraption helps to increase the efficiency of spindles. Spinning is “the process of creating cords, yarn or thread from raw plant, animal, and even metal fibers… spinning raw fiber with a whorl produces both a consistent twist direction and a consistent yarn thickness,” both which are desirable for weavers.1 Despite the fact this is a fragment of a spindle whorl, this object was outfitted from the useless fragment of another object, indicating the utilitarian and creative aspect of the Norse. Most importantly, spinning in general affected the overall gender relation of Norse culture.
This object was excavated in 2005. This fragment of a spindle whorl was recovered as part of the Hrísheimar Artifacts, in the Northeast of Iceland. The whorl is approximately 3.5 centimeters wide. This spindle whorl fragment appears to be made of stone, or iron. It does not seem to be necessarily decorated, and is arranged in a semi-circle because it is broken. The lack of decoration most likely stems from its utilitarian use, or the possibility that it is a fragment of another object, such as pottery. Interestingly enough, “Fragments of broken pots were reused as spindle whorls.”2 Thus indicating the creativity and ingenuity of the Norse.
This object was most likely crafted during the Viking age, which spans from approximately 775-1049. It is most likely this object was discarded when a settlement was moving, due to the fact it is broken.
While this object seems quite unsuspecting and small, it helped to speed up the process of spinning clothes, and usable cloth. The ability to speed up the process of making clothes was important for the Norse, especially because they could focus on making other objects. For example, by c. 1030, the introduction of sails was very influential on the Norse culture.3 First, there was the issue of raw material, in order to produce sails, which was solved by the importance of sheep.4 Second, there was the shift of the importance of activities within Norse culture. Spinning became much more necessary as it directly correlated to the success of the Norse raiders at sea. Third, much more womanpower, the primary weavers of the time, was required to create large sails, and this is where adaptations or advancements such as the spindle whorl come into play. The spindle whorl was very important for the Norse culture. In turn, spinning also influenced the gender relations and breakdown of the Norse. Even though women were the main ones subjected to constructing sails, it demonstrated their integral position in Norse culture.
All in all, this spindle whorl fragment, gives material evidence of the use of spindle whorls in Norse society. It also reflects an overall picture of the gender breakdown of the Norse society. Despite the seemingly small size, this artifact reinforces a lot of information for historians and archeologists alike.
