Marks against Evil

Forming spirit traps, making witch bottles and concealing mummified cats in buildings: these were regular practices in the early modern period (c. 1650-1800). But what were people afraid of? Archaeologist Wayne Perkins specialises in studying these activities (known as 'apotropaics') and tonight he shares the current state of research, his own findings, and many intriguing examples. Be ready to learn about the coded shapes which speak to matters of the Evil Eye, the dangers of childbirth and the unwanted attentions of the many supernatural beings - the restless dead, wandering spirits, revenants, vampires, fairies and demons. And perhaps even more local mortal dangers like unfriendly neighbours' curses.

Wayne Perkins is an archaeologist with over twenty years of experience. He has worked on archaeological sites in England for 13 of those as well as for seven in France for the Institut Nationale des Récherches Archéologiques Préventives.