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

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

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

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

The ‘Flower of Life’ Motif at the Temple of Seti I & the Osireion, Abydos, Egypt

Some of the motifs collected in the corpora of Medieval graffiti are derived from ancient antecedents, which has led many … More

Fantastic Beasts & Where to find Them!

The Manticore The manticore was a legendary creature from ancient Persian mythology which featured strongly in medieval bestiaries and heraldry … More

In Memoriam: Memorial Graffiti, a Paupers’ Graveyard &…a Black Dog?

‘Rattle his bones over the stones, He’s only a pauper who nobody owns’ Well known ditty or saying (19th century?) … More

In the palm of your hand….protection from the Virgin?

Left: Marian mark on the font at St George’s church, Crowhurst. Right: the ceases in some people’s hands bear a … More

Baddesley Clinton: New Evidence for the Deployment of Apotropaics at an Elite Residence

Gatehouse to Baddesley Clinton Hall, a number of apotropaic marks can be found on the walls of the entrance passage. … More

Baddesley Clinton Hall: The Deployment of Apotropaics in an Elite Residence

South elevation, view to the north-east. Photo © Wayne Perkins 2024. Baddesley Clinton Hall is a medieval moated site (List … More