Thanks to several readers who tipped me off to this story -- a bottle containing nail clippings, hair, and human urine was found in Greenwich, England, and it's what's commonly referred to as a "witch bottle." British Archaeology reports that the bottle is the oldest complete example of such an item. Others have been found, but this is the first one to have its seal still intact, and all the contents still inside.
The witch bottle was used in spellwork as a way of trapping negative energy, and often contained sharp objects such as metal pins or nails, as well as urine and other bits of human detritus. Burying a witch bottle near your home would protect you from malevolent spells - the negative energy would go into the bottle, rather than to you or your loved ones.
CT scans reveal that the bottle also includes a bit of lint, some brimstone, and a heart-shaped piece of leather pierced by a bent nail. The urine contained tobacco, so it would have come from someone who smoked. Interestingly, the bottle itself contains a stamped image of Cardinal Roberto Bellarmino, who played an important role in the Catholic Reformation. Researcher Alan Massey said that the findings of witch bottles "emphasize just how frightened people were of the 'black arts' — the early settlers even took their superstitions to the New World with them as excavated witch bottles demonstrate."
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The witch bottle was used in spellwork as a way of trapping negative energy, and often contained sharp objects such as metal pins or nails, as well as urine and other bits of human detritus. Burying a witch bottle near your home would protect you from malevolent spells - the negative energy would go into the bottle, rather than to you or your loved ones.
CT scans reveal that the bottle also includes a bit of lint, some brimstone, and a heart-shaped piece of leather pierced by a bent nail. The urine contained tobacco, so it would have come from someone who smoked. Interestingly, the bottle itself contains a stamped image of Cardinal Roberto Bellarmino, who played an important role in the Catholic Reformation. Researcher Alan Massey said that the findings of witch bottles "emphasize just how frightened people were of the 'black arts' — the early settlers even took their superstitions to the New World with them as excavated witch bottles demonstrate."
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Fascinating! How awesome would it be to actually find this? I am so very intrigued by our early ancestors — even if I do exactly the same things, lol.
I question the validity of this statement “Researcher Alan Massey said that the findings of witch bottles “emphasize just how frightened people were of the ‘black arts’ — the early settlers even took their superstitions to the New World with them as excavated witch bottles demonstrate.”
I am not saying that isn’t the case, just that the conclusion doesn’t follow from the evidence. It is equally possible that this witch bottle had some other effect than protection. The pierced heart in particular makes me wonder what the real intent was. I believe the use of the word superstition shows a lack of understanding of the people in question as well.
What is extraordinary about this article is what has not been said—that witches’ bottles are still being prepared and successfully used as protective spells. I agree that the use of the word ‘superstition’ is not applicable because they usually don’t work, where this type of spell Does!!!
I believe i have found one of these bottles buried near an 1800`s foundation where my new home sits, how do i find out more about it?
Richard, I’d recommend contacting a local historical society. They would be able to tell you more about how such an artifact would fit into the history and settlement of your area.
patti