Witch-Bottles - Lecture

In this fascinating lecture, independent scholar Brian Hoggard explains what current research can reveal about witch-bottles. These jars and containers, which are often filled with iron nails, personal effects, and even bodily fluids, have been found in the hundreds across Britain and North America, dating from the early modern period. Brian discusses the magical thinking behind the practice and explores the tension that exists between the physical and documentary evidence. This lecture looks at the most current scholarship on witch-bottles and reveals nuances about the practice not previously considered. 

Brian Hoggard has been studying history, archaeology and folk beliefs since his teens. His undergraduate dissertation focused on folk beliefs and witchcraft he noticed there was a huge amount of work which could be done to further explore the archaeology of witchcraft. At that point – back in 1999 – his research really escalated into a major project which has culminated in the publication of Magical House Protection: The Archaeology of Counter-Witchcraft (Berghahn 2019).

www.apotropaios.co.uk

https://www.berghahnbooks.com/title/HoggardMagical