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Four Spiritual Middens in Mid Suffolk, England, ca. 1650 to 1850

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Abstract

Deposits of personal objects, chosen for their ritual associations and hidden in buildings, have been reported in England since the early 20th century. This article examines the evidence for particular ritual concealments in houses in central Suffolk, England, those consisting of numerous objects deliberately deposited in the chimney areas of buildings. Chronological evidence in the layers of these “spiritual middens” demonstrates continual additions over many years. Interpretation of these artifacts suggests that they were concealed to seek protection for the home and its inhabitants. Because so many different types of materials are found in each location, it is possible to argue for a wide range of reasons, to target many different fears, for the selection of specific artifacts by the occupiers. The conclusions drawn from this study may help explain the choice of objects found in other parts of Britain and former British colonial territories in North America and Australia.

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  1. Bedfield Hall, Church Road, Woodbridge, IP13 7JJ, UK

    Timothy Easton

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Easton, T. Four Spiritual Middens in Mid Suffolk, England, ca. 1650 to 1850. Hist Arch 48, 10–34 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03376935

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