The page has been created to promote and disseminate research into medieval & historical graffiti; the archaeological identification of apotropaic symbols and the practice of concealing objects within buildings to ward against misfortune. Contributions are welcomed!
A tiny (about 11 millimetres across) Marian Mark composed of two conjoined ‘V’s on the 15th century font of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, North Marston, Buckinghamshire. It is often the small details that lend weight to current interpretations of historic graffiti assemblages. The font has many Marian Marks (both in the W and M forms), sacred monograms, ‘dot’ patterns (arranged in threes) and saltires (‘X’) cut into the carved clunch structure. The font, of course, contained the holy water for baptism-a substance considered so sacred that it could only be disposed of in a specially-built wall piscena which ensured that the miraculous liquid did not fall into the wrong hands. The graffiti survey at North Marston is brand new piece of research by the author intended to shed further light on the cult of the folk-saint John Shorn and his holy well. https://www.treadwells-london.com/…/conjuring-the-devil…
I am an archaeologist with over twenty years of experience. After a decade or so working as a volunteer on excavations in the 1990’s, I undertook my degree in Archaeology at the University of Birmingham. In the last year of my degree I helped to supervise the university’s annual excavations.
Directly after my exams I began my career in Commercial Archaeology as a Field Archaeologist with Oxford Archaeology and remained there for four years. Anticipating a career in archaeology in France I volunteered on excavations at Rom and at Prisse-la-Charriere, Niort (for Poitiers & Rennes University respectively). In due course I worked for the States’ premier scientific organization, I.N.R.A.P. (Institut Nationale des Récherches Archéologiques Préventives) as well as for a number of private companies.
I returned to the UK in 2013 and resumed my role as a Supervisor, undertaking projects around Oxfordshire with John Moore Heritage Services before moving to London in 2014.
I now undertake Historic Building Surveys and supervise urban excavations in the City of London as well as overseeing rural excavations in surrounding Sussex, Surrey & Kent.
Wayne Perkins
BA Hons (Archaeology)
ACIfA (Associate Member, Chartered Institute for Archaeologists)
View all posts by Wayne Perkins
Ritual Protection Marks & Ritual Practices 