Introduction | Research | People | Tools

STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHS


CLAY-DISK WITH FINGER IMPRESSION (TYA 619: 557)

photograph 140 kB

 

CLAY-DISK WITH FINGER IMPRESSION (TYA 619: 557)

 

Type: Fragment of clay-disk with a fingerprint visible on it.

Use: Probably a weight for upright loom warp yarns.

Site: Raisio, Ihala, Mulli abode.

Period: Viking Age / Crusade Age / Early Middle Ages.

Dating: 980-1220 A.D.

Photographer: Antti Huittinen.

 

More than 67 kg of fragments of clay-disks have been discovered in Mulli abode. The disks have been shaped in clay and there is a hole in them. After shaping the disks were usually burnt. These items have been presumed to be, e.g., weights for nets or mouthpieces for bellows. In Mulli, clay-disks were most probably used as weights for warp yarns of upright looms when a fabric was woven. Clay-disks are known in Finland from the 4th century to the 13th century in abodes, cemeteries and prehistoric castles.

The diameter of the clay-disks of Mulli is 9-14 cm and the weight is 300-1100 g. There are several kinds of ornaments in the disks, like circular crosses, stick impressions, finger impressions, cord impressions and hole impressions.

The maker of this clay-disk has left a clear fingerprint in the clay which we can look at after hundreds of years.

 

Sources:

Other pictures:

Other related topics:

Coordinates: x=101, y=504, 3rd layer.

 


Introduction | Research | People | Tools