This lead lump turned out to be something very cool! I nearly threw it out with the shotgun shells and bits of lead I found. BUT When I cleaned the clay and dirt off I noticed it had a flower design on it so I gave it a few minutes in the ultrasonic cleaner and it’s come up quite nicely:
It is about 4cm high and 3 wide. Has a flower on one side and an off-center cross on the other. I don’t think it’s crushed but oval to start with. A quick search on the British Museum’s webpage found an identical item called an ‘ampulla.’
Ampulla’s were used to hold small amounts ofholy water or holy oil in the Middle Ages and were often bought as souvenirs of pilgrimages. Similar ampulla are known from the late 12th century but was replaced by the popularity of pilgrim badges in the early 14th century which means that this item dates from about 1175 to 1500 AD.
I have reported it to the Finds Liaison Officer at the Salisbury Museum. He may request to see the item in person but I believe they aren’t inclined to keep it. I will let you know what he says.
I grew up with snake handlers living next door. That sort of thing makes you scratch your head. Religion makes us do some crazy things.
But as I look at this ampulla, dropped by a pilgrim on his way to or from Salisbury cathedral where it lay for 600 years till I came along and dug it up from the clay. I can’t help but be humbled by it.
I’m not sure the 12th-century stonemasons working on Salisbury cathedral had any idea that people would still be admiring their work 600 years later but it humbles me to think about the great gulf of time and the mark they left.
I have no such enduring legacy. Each of them was part of a team and remain nameless but each was key in the endurance of the whole.