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| Medieval stone head found at Norfolk church | Medieval stone head found at Norfolk church |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| A "beautifully-carved" limestone head, believed to date from the 11th Century, has been discovered "hidden" at the top of a Grade II* church tower. | A "beautifully-carved" limestone head, believed to date from the 11th Century, has been discovered "hidden" at the top of a Grade II* church tower. |
| The decorative water spout was found embedded in stonework during £140,000 restoration work at St Margaret's Church, Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk. | The decorative water spout was found embedded in stonework during £140,000 restoration work at St Margaret's Church, Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk. |
| Project director Darren Barker said it was a "fantastic chance finding". | Project director Darren Barker said it was a "fantastic chance finding". |
| The head is thought to have been part of an earlier church which was demolished in the later middle ages. | The head is thought to have been part of an earlier church which was demolished in the later middle ages. |
| Mr Barker spotted the top of the head during work to consolidate and conserve the building. | Mr Barker spotted the top of the head during work to consolidate and conserve the building. |
| He said: "Looking at the large eyes, nose and non-existent forehead, it is mostly likely to be Romanesque and probably dates from the 11th Century." | He said: "Looking at the large eyes, nose and non-existent forehead, it is mostly likely to be Romanesque and probably dates from the 11th Century." |
| Norfolk does not have a local source of building stone, so he believes the limestone was shipped from Caen in France. | Norfolk does not have a local source of building stone, so he believes the limestone was shipped from Caen in France. |
| "Stonework like this was often re-purposed over the centuries," said Mr Barker. | "Stonework like this was often re-purposed over the centuries," said Mr Barker. |
| "We have found bits of window tracery and door jams in the fabric of the ruined church, but to find a figurative carving is particularly special." | "We have found bits of window tracery and door jams in the fabric of the ruined church, but to find a figurative carving is particularly special." |
| The church, which is on English Heritage's buildings at risk register, was remodelled and the 50ft (15m) tower added in the 13th or 14th Centuries. | The church, which is on English Heritage's buildings at risk register, was remodelled and the 50ft (15m) tower added in the 13th or 14th Centuries. |
| A 10-week long conservation project is under way, led by Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust, and working with Hopton-on-Sea Parish Council. | A 10-week long conservation project is under way, led by Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust, and working with Hopton-on-Sea Parish Council. |
| The trust hopes to put the head on display. | The trust hopes to put the head on display. |
| St Margaret's Church is known as Hopton Ruined Church having burned down in 1865. |