Hundreds of marks to protect from evil spirits found in caves

Hundreds of “witches’ marks” to prevent evil spirits rising from the underworld have been discovered in caves at a limestone gorge, experts said.

The find, carved on walls and ceilings of the caves at Creswell Crags on the border between Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, is thought to be the largest collection of its kind in one place in the UK.

The discovery was made by enthusiasts Hayley Clark and Ed Waters from the Subterranea Britannica group during a cave tour when they noticed the rare protection marks on the walls.

The marks were previously thought to have been graffiti from the time before the caves were shut off.

Witches’ marks, or “apotropaic” marks, from the Greek word apotrepein, “to turn away”, are most commonly found in historic churches and houses near doorways, windows and fireplaces to protect inhabitants from evil spirits. Experts said the number and variety of the marks found in the caves is unprecedented.

Among the most common are the double VV engravings, thought to reference Mary, Virgin of Virgins, and PM or Pace Maria, while other symbols are believed to be devices for capturing or trapping evil, including diagonal lines, boxes and mazes.

It is the latest significant discovery at the caves, which provided shelter for Neanderthal and anatomically modern people through a crucial period of human evolution between 130,000 and 10,000 years ago.

One of the hundreds of “witches’ marks” discovered in caves at Creswell Crags.