Experts spellbound over marks in caves

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

The carvings on walls and ceilings of the caves at Creswell Crags on the border between Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire are thought to be the largest UK collection of their kind in one place.

The discovery was made by Hayley Clark and Ed Waters, of the Subterranea Britannica group, during a cave tour.

T h e m a r k s w e r e previously thought to have been graffiti from before the caves were shut off.

Witches’ marks, or “apotropaic” marks, are most common in historic churches and houses, near doorways, windows and fireplaces, to deter evil spirits.

Experts said the number and variety 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.

Until now the largest known quantity of witches’ marks in caves in Britain was 57 in Somerset, but the number at Creswell Crags is far higher, with hundreds in one cave alone.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: “We can only speculate on what it was the people of Creswell feared might emerge from the underworld into these caves.”

PROTECTION: A few of the so-called witches’ marks found at Creswell Crags, which are supposed to help ward off evil spirits