Mudlark discovers ‘very rare’ medieval doll – believed to be only complete example in country – while out with metal detector on muddy riverbank
A mudlark has discovered a ‘very rare’ medieval doll – believed to be the only complete example in the country.
Sarah Brackstone, 47, found the main figure in the photo with her metal detector in February.
She said: ‘I was in the stream and my pinpointer went off. I was ripping her out. It must have taken me almost twenty minutes.’
“When I pulled her out and she was complete, I thought, ‘Oh my God, no way.'”
Sarah Brackstone, 47, (right) pictured with the rare doll with Megan Gard
The rare medieval lead doll in the photo, found by Sarah Brackstone
Mrs Brackstone, from the East Midlands, has been a mudlark for five years, searching for treasure in the muddy riverbanks.
Her previous finds include the torso of a similar doll. But finding a complete specimen is “very rare”, said Michael Lewis, head of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), which records archaeological finds.
He said: ‘It’s interesting that it survives because it’s made of lead, a metal that is likely to break.’
Mr Lewis added that PAS has recorded about 20 parts of similar dolls, but this is the only complete example.
He suggested that loops near the doll’s arms could mean it was used as a child’s play doll.
Mrs Brackstone plans to loan the doll to the British Museum.
