Summary A copper-alloy thimble was found in 2010 at Punta Secca, Sicily, in a sealed context datable by coins to the first quarter of the seventh century AD. It has generally been thought that thimbles did not reach the Mediterranean area until the ninth century AD, but at least nine metal examples are in fact attested at various places from contexts datable between the late sixth century and the early ninth. It is suggested that the increasing use of silk in clothing in the Byzantine Empire during the seventh century, probably accompanied by the use for the first time of steel needles which made the use of a finger protector imperative, explains the apparent introduction of thimbles at this time. No securely dated metal thimbles are known from sites of Roman date, except for one at Ephesus of c.AD 100. It is very tentatively suggested that this last example might represent an import from China, where thimbles (and steel needles) are attested from at least the third century BC onwards.

中文翻译：

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关于早期的顶针：上下文中来自西西里岛蓬塔塞卡的公元七世纪的例子

小结于2010年在西西里岛的蓬塔塞卡发现了一个铜合金顶针，在密封的背景下，到公元七世纪第一季度的硬币都可以找到这种顶针。人们普遍认为，顶针直到公元九世纪才到达地中海地区，但是从六世纪末到九世纪初的数据环境中，至少有九个金属实例实际上在各个地方得到了证明。有人建议，在七世纪，拜占庭帝国越来越多地在服装中使用丝绸，可能是第一次使用钢针，这势必需要使用护指器，这解释了在此显然使用了顶针。时间。除了公元100年以弗所以外，在罗马时代的遗址上都没有已知有日期安全的金属顶针。