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| Figure 1: A witch bottle |
Contrary to what you may have learned about early American history colonists were not only deeply religious but also equally superstitious. While they prayed and regularly went to church there is mounting evidence that demonstrates that they not only dabbled but participated in occult rituals. Today’s blog post will explore the archaeology of American folk magic, discussing what folk magic is, why it was practiced by American colonists, as well as some of the examples of magical artifacts thus far discovered.
Folk magic is simply a means of influencing supernatural forces either for good or ill fortune. There is no formal instruction in folk magic. It is typically passed down orally through the generations. Typically, folk magic is a type of apotropaic magic, meaning it is practiced as a means of warding off harm or encouraging beneficial outcomes. Most individuals who practice folk magic do so because they are anxious about something and want to feel control over that situation and its resolution.
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| Figure 2: Concealed shoe |
American folk magic is associated with a variety of groups, specifically European colonists and African American slaves. Due to a variety of reasons it is difficult to pinpoint which groups contributed which elements to American folk magic. Part of the reasons stems from the similarities in motivations and methods in folk magic between these two groups. This is also why the groups were able to come together and blend their folk magic practices, which continue to pervade modern superstitious practices and beliefs (e.g. four leaf clovers, horseshoes on doors, etc.).
Archaeologists have identified a variety of artifacts associated with early American folk magic, including witch bottles (Figure 1), concealed shoes and clothing (Figure 2), concealed cats, buried horse skull, dolls and poppets, and written charms (Figure 3). Witch bottles are bottles containing sharp objects, typically nails, and a victim’s urine, which were buried in a location to either break a bewitchment or lure the witch out. Concealed shoes and clothing are worn out items, most often shoes, that are concealed in the walls of homes and buildings. There are several hypotheses for why these items were hidden away, but their proximity to doorways, windows, and chimneys suggest they were meant to ward off evil spirits. Similar in motivation to these objects was the concealment of mummified cats and horse skulls, which are actually very seldom found throughout the US but are quite common throughout Europe. Dolls and poppets are closely described as modern day “voodoo” dolls in that they were human figurines crudely constructed from wood, clay, wax, or cloth and often harmed (through burning, twisting, and stabbing with needles) in order to inflict injury onto someone else. Written charms were as they sound-cleverly worded spells meant to bring good or ill fortune depending on what was written on the paper. Typically, the written charm was on the person of whomever was to receive the blessing-be it good or bad, meaning they would be worn in necklaces or in pockets.
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| Figure 3: Written charm |
Bibliography
Arehart, K. (2016, October 31). Cunning Folk and Conjurors: Folk Magic in Colonial Virginia. Retrieved from Lives & Legacies: Stories from Historic Kenmore and George Washington's Ferry Farm: https://livesandlegaciesblog.org/2016/10/31/cunning-folk-and-conjurors-folk-magic-in-colonial-virginia/
Costello, J. (2014). Tracing the Footsteps of Ritual: Concealed Footwear in America. Historical Archaeology, 48(3), 35-51.
Keck, G. (2020, September 21). Spells, Charms, Curses, and Concealments | American Archaeology. Retrieved from Archaeological Conservancy: https://www.archaeologicalconservancy.org/fall-2020-spells-and-charms/?fbclid=IwAR1rfLbz7J1koXyZTF91F41KPDx_fY-FC3OxCbNTxB9yk02rJp90cIR_mlg
Manning, M. C. (2014). Magic, Religion, and Ritual in Historical Archaeology. Historical Archaeology, 48(3), 1-9.
Manning, M. C. (2014). The Material Culture of Ritual Concealments in the United States. Historical Archaeology, 48(3), 52-83.
11 comments:
I didn't know that "Folk Magic," came from Europe and African American slaves. Me personally, I don't do any of these things because I was taught that that was witchcraft. Also, I was taught that you're communicating with the devil. I do know that when people find a four-leaf clover, that it means that you'll have good luck. I didn't know anything about the lucky charms. I just heard about that tonight when I was reading this article. In my own opinion, I don't think that people should do witchcraft because you're harming other people. I can kind of relate to this article because I do have an aunt who does voodoo for a living. When someone makes her mad or her family mad, she will make a doll or sometimes put a spell on that person.
Folkway magic is something that I never thought to pay attention to. But I do have a lot of questions about it especially when it has to deal with archaeology. When you do find these things like witch bottles or voodoo like dolls are you guys ever scared of what to do with them. Those types of things make me think that they are hidden for a reason. As in like they can be scared or even cursed items. If so personally would you leave them or continue to discover the meaning behind the items?
As you will learn in class in a few weeks archaeologists strive to interpret artifacts based on the cultural groups' values, beliefs, perceptions, etc., but that does not mean we share those same values, beliefs, perceptions, etc. This can and often does lead to misinterpretations of the artifacts use, meaning, and purpose, which can be detrimental to the group associated with them. When it comes to sacred items we try to maintain appropriate and respectful treatment of the artifacts as much as possible, which we discussed in Chapter 1 when we discussed ethics, but sometimes that cannot be done for legitimate reasons (e.g. cultural resource management requirements). Ultimately, our work should maintain ethical standards and practices that allow us to produce value free work, while also being respectful of the groups we work with-be they existing today or in the past.
I never was one to believe in magic but things like this make it kind of imaginable. I wonder if anyone ever used it for good because the article talks about how objects used were found close to buried bodies and I wonder if magic, if real, was only ever used for bad things.
Great article but I have a question as well. When archeologists find all of these artifacts do you all pass them to someone so they are evaluated first to make sure there is no bad “juju"? As a person that believes in luck and bad luck that would really scare me.
-Jasmine Hill
Interesting question, Jasmine. It really depends on the situation. As discussed in class when archaeologists are working at or excavating a site that has religious, ritual, or specific cultural significance it may be appropriate to ask the descendant populations to perform a blessing or cleansing ritual. The purpose of this would be to keep both the archaeologists and site (and associated people-past and/or present) safe. This is, however, if the descendant populations are accepting of that request. They may feel that the archaeologists are trespassing or desecrating the site and not with to move forward with such a ritual.
In the case of these particular artifacts I think it would depend on the beliefs of the individual archaeologists excavating at the site. I personally would not see a need for a cleansing in these cases, but another individual may and request such actions be taken.
I'm not against magic, especially after reading this. Are these objects covered in bad things? Bad spirits? If so, I want to know would it haunt you or would it come back to you? I would think these types of things, I would believe they would come back and haunt me or I would constantly think about it.
- Jada Watkins
I always thought the concept of "voodoo dolls" were interesting. How is it truly possible to inflict pain upon a person through a doll? I have seen seen this in many movies and was always intrigued with the thought.
-Jayla Templeton
I have never believed in magic but i am superstitious. I believe in speaking things aloud "burning bread", knocking on wood and even crossing poles. I find this article interesting because i never thought these superstitious acts stemmed from actual devout usage or had histories.
-Gavin G
Even though I never believe in magic, such blogs make me start imagining the scenarios where they have happened. It is quite interesting. Is magic only used for bad things? Since the blog points out that things used were located near the dead. This makes me stand against magic and witchcraft if exists because it is used to hurt people even though it may be described as either good or ill fortune.
Folk magic and superstition are very interesting things to read about especially with those traditions or superstitions still live on in other cultures to this day and are even practiced while it is vastly different in this day and age it is still practiced. It also showed in the past these practices gave troubled people hope in resolving or feeling overall better about a problem or troubling situation. While I am not well versed in folk magic in other cultures it is always neat to see others still practicing these beliefs today. Renn Bullard
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