A chance find has shed light on the very personal habits of 16th Century monks.

A half-buried German drinking vessel uncovered at Rievaulx Abbey has sent archaeologists scurrying for the lavatory at the North Yorkshire ruin, near Helmsley. They are hoping that the discovery of a stoneware flagon is just a fraction of a potential "goldmine".

First spotted by American tourists, the flagon is only the second intact vessel to be found there. It was discovered in a ruined part of the abbey known as the reredorter, the Latin name for a latrine.

Examinations by English Heritage have confirmed its origins and dated the vessel to about 1510.

A series of tests is being done at the site and a team of professionals will re-examine the latrine area and take core samples of the soil.

Andrew Morrison, English Heritage senior curator, said: "It's quite a remarkable find to say the least. This glazed, brown example is as good as new, complete with the handle. It could have been used as a night 'potty' and accidentally thrown down the loo by a clumsy monk."

Ian Panter, English Heritage scientific advisor, said: "This represents something of archaeological goldmine. We can use modern techniques to gather new information on what the monks ate and what plants were being grown."