This item is part of the Dodgson Collection, which was bequeathed to Queen's College in 1892 by the Rev. James Dodgson. The collection was created by Aquila Dodgson, brother of James. Aquila Dodgson was a friend of the English Egyptologist Flinders Petrie, and it was through this friendship the Aquila was able to acquire ancient Egyptian artefacts. A detailed study of the collection was made by Christine Elias "Discovering Egypt: Egyptian Antiquities at the University of Melbourne", M.A. thesis 2010.Ball of flax thread.Label attached reads '2600 BC Ball of thread XII Dynasty Bought in Egypt by Petrie 1889'. Small paper label inscribed with 'B11' glued to back of label.james dodgson, aquila dodgson, flinders petrie, ball, thread, flax