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Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales
1/4 of the lower stone of a rotary quern of sandstone. The upper surface, which is damaged towards the central hole, bears rather irregularly- disposed radial grooves up to 3 mm deep; some of the lands between the grooves have been worn almost flat near the perimeter. The underside was left roughly flaked, to provide a good surface to grip when the sone is bedded. The presence of a central hole makes it clearthe quern was not bedded in the floor. Moritz gives 3 possible reasons for perforated lower stones, which must come from upper stones supported by a spindle passing through lower stone. (1) they make it possible to adjust gap. (2) they make it possible to drive upper stone from below, man, animal or water? (3) they occur on certain Tripartite querns, eg from La Tene. Our eg is supposed to refer to #(1). Assumed set on a bench with central wooden block to act as bearing for spindle of upper stone. The spindle could be finely adjusted to alter separation, and process floor and bran.
Site Name: Dinas Powis, Vale of Glamorgan
Notes: Section -, Cut XXV, Layer (5), Context- C/D C: Black, usually greasy soil, with small angular rubble; much bone, charcoal flecking; rich in finds. D: Large, often slabby stones, with smaller stones interspersed; dark humus-soil; relatively few bones or finds.
