Detectorist discovers 700-year-old silver shovel for cleaning earwax

A rare silver earwax cleaning scoop has been discovered in a field near King's Lynn in Norfolk using a metal detector. 43mm long and weighing 1.73 grams, the gold-plated silver bar is an interesting insight into personal hygiene in the Middle Ages.

The stick has a sort of recessed scoop at one end for collecting earwax. On the other side is a flattened end, probably used as a 'scraper', toothpick or nail cleaner. Similar objects are rarely found in archaeological contexts, making dating challenging. "The Roman ones are quite similar, but this one has the characteristic medieval design of a row of dots made with a punch and, unlike the Roman ones, it doesn't have a hanging eyelet," said Dr. Geak, adding that the object was eventually dated between 1350 and 1400, the reigns of Edward III and Richard II.

"ThePortable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) has only recorded 20 similar silver ear bars in its 25 years of operation, making it a rare find. By comparison with other medieval silver objects, the database includes 1,200 brooches, 1,200 rings and 29 needles," she added.

The bars found so far are mainly made of silver and were probably the preserve of the upper and wealthy classes. Only 13 ear blades made of the cheaper copper alloy are recorded in the database. Dr. Geake believes that most people simply used their fingernails to clean their ears: "It's a bit like forks - if you're poor, you don't have them at all, rather than having them made from a cheaper material," she added.

Because the item is made of precious metal and over 300 years old, it is considered a treasure under a 1996 law. Once it has been assessed by a coroner, museums will be given the opportunity to acquire it for an amount to be determined by a valuation committee.

Roman Nemec

Sources: bbc.com, thehistoryblog.com, finds.org.uk

• Medieval finds on LP: Metal detector finds from the medieval period

Detail of toothpick end

detail of the paddle end