Normally, finding an unexpected surprise in the toilet would not be something to celebrate.
But this Lincoln couple were amazed to find that their loo had been hiding a 700-year-old secret.
Tracy and Rory Vorster from Lincoln were baffled as they discovered what appears to be a medieval gargoyle behind a hidden trap door in their bathroom.
According to the Lincoln Civil Trust, the strange carved face could be part of an ‘elaborate’ drain or early urinal dating back to the mid-14th century.
And Mr Vorster now believes that their home might have more artefacts just waiting to be found.
A Lincoln couple were shocked to find a medieval relic beneath the floor of their bathroom
The strange carving was hidden beneath a wooden trapdoor in the floor of the loo
The couple were scrubbing the bathroom in their home on Sunday when Mr Vorster first made the discovery.
‘I couldn’t believe it, I shouted up to my wife and said, “I’ve found a thing”,’ he said.
After removing a wooden panel, the couple discovered a large slab of stone, featuring a carving of an unusual face.
Notably, this face bears a striking resemblance to the ‘Lincoln Imp’ a famous carving on Lincoln Cathedral which their home is nearby.
According to local legend, two imps were rampaging on the Cathedral roof before one was turned to stone by an angel.
The couple’s home is actually a building originally built by the Cathedral’s college of priests.
Notably, this face bears a striking resemblance to the ‘Lincoln Imp’ a famous carving on Lincoln Cathedral which their home is nearby
Mrs Vorster says they found the strange artefact while cleaning the floors
Their 700-year-old home is located in the historic city of Lincoln just outside the Lincoln Cathedral
The original structure was built during the 13th century and, while it was partly demolished during the English Civil War, some sections survive.
Mrs Vorster says: ‘You look at the outside of the house and that is historical enough but to now find something inside is amazing’.
The couple now say that they think there could be more of these medieval drains to be found in their home.
Mr Vorster says: ‘The whole of the house has kind of a hollow walling, so we immediately thought there could be more. In fact, we’re almost certain now.’
The face has a striking resemblance to the ‘Lincoln Imp’ which is a famous statue carved into the cathedral
This is not the only stunning archaeological find to have been made in and around Lincoln Cathedral over the years.
Archaeologists have used ancient graffiti scrawled on the cathedral walls to learn more about the lives of the people who lived there.
A massive project analysing the scratches found everything from musical compositions and doodles to prayers and curses.
The cathedral is also home to a treasure trove of graves stretching back to the 12th century.
In 2020, researchers were even able to reconstruct the face of a clergyman buried at the cathedral 900 years ago.
Analysis of the skeleton has confirmed that the priest was a male, around 169cm tall and died between the ages of 35 and 45 years old.
