“Unearthed Mystery: Enigmatic Anti-Witchcraft Potion Discovered at Infamous Sorceress’s Childhood Residence”
It was only when the building’s chimney was being demolished that the mysterious glass vessel presented itself. The property’s current owner wished to remain anonymous, but already has some interesting prospects for the future.
“I will probably hide it away again for someone to find in another 100 years or so,” he said.
Researchers at the Museum of London Archaeology explained that stone and glass vessels were commonly used as protection, or as containers of cures against witchcraft.
They’ve previously been found beneath the floors of historic buildings, churchyards, riverbanks, and on archaeological sites. While they typically contain nails or pins, some have been found filled with urine.
BBCThe mysterious bottle was found during roof repairs, when the chimney of the former pub was being demolished.
Over 100 recorded examples have been found, with most of them dating from the 17th century. Up to 300 people in eastern England alone were executed between 1644 and 1646, on the suspicion of having engaged in witchcraft.
It took nearly a century until the laws against witchcraft were repealed in 1736.
Since this particular bottle is torpedo-shaped, dating it is a much simpler affair — these varieties were simply not made before 1830. Dr. Ceri Houlbrook of the University of Hertfordshire thus believes the remarkable find was produced much later than Tubbs’ childhood spent on the property.
“It’s certainly later than most witch bottles, so sadly not contemporary with Angeline Tubbs, but still a fascinating find,” said the lecturer in folklore and history.
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