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Ritual Protection Marks & Ritual Practices

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The page has been created to promote and disseminate research into medieval & historic graffiti; the archaeological identification of apotropaic symbols and the phenomenon of intentionally concealed objects within buildings intended to ward against misfortune. Contributions are welcomed!

  • Graffiti
  • Taper Burns
  • Notable Headstones….
  • Illustrated Talks 2022
  • Figurative & Pictorial Graffiti
  • Mythological Creatures of the Sea
  • Intercessors: Folk Saints or notable Pious Individuals
  • Magical Protection of Agricultural Buildings
  • Archaeological Surveys & Building Recording
  • Notable Monuments
  • Witch Bottles
  • Spiritual Middens: Foundation Deposit, Spirit Trap or Counter Witchcraft Measure?
  • Notable Links
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Author: Wayne Perkins

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)

Total Baptismal Immersion? Burton Dassett’s Holy Well

Here at Ritual Protection Marks we do include the study Holy Wells – alongside churches, shrines and other religious centres … More

archaeology, architecture, art, books, church, folklore, genealogy, history, Holy Wells, medieval

Chapter 5: Concealed Deposits: Dried, Mummified & Smoked cats

Main image: Mummified cat from the collection held by the ‘Museum in the Park,’ Stroud, Gloucestershire collection In 1951, Margaret … More

apotropaic, archaeology, architecture, cats, folklore, history, immured cats, medieval, mummified

The Horncastle Scythes: Folk tale or historic artefacts?

High above an arch leading to the Lady chapel of St Mary’s, Horncastle, Lincolnshire is a collection of 13 agricultural … More

apotropaics, archaeology, church, folklore, history, weeping-chancel, writing

Chapter 5: Spiritual Middens: Decoys, Spirit Traps or Counter Witchcraft Measures?

Main image: A small sample of the 500 items rescued from the Sittingbourne ‘Cache’ discovered in former The Plough public … More

The Misidentification of Masons’ Marks and the Antiquarian Delusion

Wayne Perkins 18th July 2026 This short blog is a response to the recent article in the Guardian, published on … More

archaeology, architecture, europe, history

Chapter Five: Concealed Objects – Old Boots & Shoes

Main photo: A rare example of a concealed shoe from a church context of Holy Trinity, Raleigh, Essex. Photo: Southend … More

archaeology, folklore, history

Dancing With the Moonlit Knight: Pentangles, Plague Arrows & Marian Marks

The Church of St Peter, South Weald. Grade II* Listed No.1297216 At St Peter’s,  the present south aisle was the … More

england, europe, history

Ritual Protection of Crops & Livestock: Upminster Tithe Barn, London Borough of Havering.

Upminster Tithe Barn was built c.1450 as part of the estate that supported Waltham Abbey. It has recently been restored … More

Chapter 4: Ritual Taper Burn Marks

Over the last twenty-five years, archaeologists have been recordingtaper burn marks on medieval and later building timbers. Oncethought to be … More

Interview with Wayne Perkins, author of ‘A Consensus of Symbols: Patterns in Ritual Building Protection’

Wayne Perkins interviewed by Dee ‘For The Lost’ show on Resonance FM which focusses upon the arts.

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