Hundreds of witches’ marks discovered in caves

[Still Waters]

Hundreds of “witches’ marks” to prevent evil spirits rising from the underworld have been discovered in caves at a limestone gorge, experts said.

The find, carved on walls and ceilings of the caves at Creswell Crags on the border between Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, is thought to be the largest collection of its kind in one place in the UK.

The discovery was made by enthusiasts Hayley Clark and Ed Waters, from the Subterranea Britannica group, during a cave tour when they noticed the rare protection marks on the walls.

The marks were previously thought to have been graffiti from the time before the caves were shut off.

https://www.itv.com/news/2019-02-15/uks-largest-collection-of-witches-marks-discovered-in-caves/

https://news.sky.com/story/hundreds-of-witches-marks-including-entrance-to-hell-found-in-caves-at-creswell-crags-11637931

[jaylemurph]

I wrote a paper a few years ago about witch marks found in an early 17th Century stately home, and how they related to the king's interest in witch-hunting.

--Jaylemurph