Drop Spindle, Broken Bone Needle, and Whetstone at L'Anse aux Meadows

The round metal item that resembles a donut is the weight of a drop spindle. It was found at the leader’s hut (likely Leif Eriksson’s house) in the open area to the right. The woman using the spindle whorl could have been working there protected by the wind while having a view of the camp.

The long, thin rectangular rock is a small whetstone. Also known as a “needle hone”, it was found in the northern part of the leader’s hut, close to the spindle. The whetstone was used for sharpening needles or small knives belonging to women.

The triangular item is a broken bone needle. The needle was found inside the fireplace in the northern common room of the halls. Since the soil of the area is acidic, if left outside in the soil it would have decomposed. There is some speculation that this artifact could also be a broken pin made of bone since lower-class people could not afford a pin of bronze.

Created: Circa 1000 CE