artefacts page 4

GaryD's Mucky Fingers

Tap key, Dating from the 1700 century

Tap Keys were used on wooden barrels of beer and the like the barrels were taped which means a spout was knocked into them.
On top of the spout there was a square keyway
Tap Keys fitted over this so you could turn on or off

Barrel Tap key

Trade Weight

English brass-copper Trade Weight
This is a bronze weight of the reign of George III,
or possibly the earlier part of the reign of George IV.
Note the relative positions of the marks - the 'dagger’, the ewer, and the royal cipher.

Trade Weight

A Bronze Pot leg

The drop-spindle is thought to have been around for thousands of years. Many detectorists have found lead Whorls from a range of different land sites. Lead Wholes are difficult to date, as the shape hasn't changed much in thousands of years. Some are highly decorated, while others are just lumps of lead with a hole. The fleece from all sheep can be used.

The wool is spun unwashed as the natural grease (lanolin) helps in the spinning process.

Q.) How does a drop-spindle work?

A.) You would have taken a handful of wool and tease some out until free from lumps or tangles. Then draw a few fibers out from the wool and twist in a clockwise direction to make a thread about 5" long. Then take the spindle and attach the yarn to the notch at the top of the spindle Stick. Holding the fleece in one hand and the spindle in the other, twist the spindle in a clockwise direction. As the spindle is spinning pull out more fibers from the fleece. Allow the twist to run up the fibers to produce a yarn. All you had to do was continue spinning. Drawing out the fibers, until the spindle reaches the ground, then wind the yarn onto the base of the spindle allowing enough yarn to make a hitch in the notch at the top of the spindle stick and start all over again.

Q.)Why do I find different size Lead Whorls?

A.)Heavy spindles spin thick yarns best while light spindles are meant for fine yarns.

Loom Weights

The warp-weighted loom uses a system of holding the warp threads parallel under tension by tying them in small bunches to weights made of stone, pottery or metal. From the beginning of Western history until the Middle Ages, the main weaving tool was this type of loom. Loom weights have been found in Catal Huyuk, an ancient city in Anatolia that dates to 7000 BCE, and use of the warp-weighted loom persists to the present day in part of Norway. Although its particular form has varied through the ages and by locality, its essential parts remained the same.

What is it about Musket Balls

I am never disappointed when I dig a musket ball

Who knows it may have come from a battle or a hunt.

Musket Balls

Musket balls and Bullet heads Metal detecting Finds

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