Ritualisation and reappropriation : special deposits and ritual activity in domestic structures in early modern England
While the act of concealing objects within the structural fabric of houses in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries has long been acknowledged, there has been no comprehensive survey and analysis of this practice within England. Earlier studies had been selective in the types of objects on which they focused, which resulted in an overemphasis on the ritual relating to contemporary beliefs in witchcraft and the supernatural. Four primary categories of objects can be identified: magical items, animal remains, natural materials and everyday objects. The use of such a broad range of objects suggests that the value that is held to be inherent in these items does not derive from their material or original function. Furthermore, a significant proportion of objects appear to have been either subject long-term use prior to their concealment, or were otherwise items of little or no monetary value. Therefore, it is concluded that the value of these items and the processes which lead to their ritualization are not as a result of any symbolic or apotropaic attributes they may hold, but is due to their prolonged use within the household and by its inhabitants. Despite differences in intention which differing treatments
Massey, Freya R.
Ritualisation and reappropriation : special deposits and ritual activity in domestic structures in early modern England. While the act of concealing objects within the structural fabric of houses in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries has long been acknowledged, there has been no comprehensive survey and analysis of this practice within England. Earlier studies had been selective in the types of objects on which they focused, which resulted in an overemphasis on the ritual relating to contemporary beliefs in witchcraft and the supernatural. Four primary categories of objects can be identified: magical items, animal remains, natural materials and everyday objects. The use of such a broad range of objects suggests that the value that is held to be inherent in these items does not derive from their material or original function. Furthermore, a significant proportion of objects appear to have been either subject long-term use prior to their concealment, or were otherwise items of little or no monetary value. Therefore, it is concluded that the value of these items and the processes which lead to their ritualization are not as a result of any symbolic or apotropaic attributes they may hold, but is due to their prolonged use within the household and by its inhabitants. Despite differences in intention which differing treatments
special deposit ritual_activity domestic_structure early_modern_england act conceal object within structural fabric house long acknowledge comprehensive_survey analysis practice within england earlier study selective type object focus result ritual relating contemporary belief witchcraft supernatural primary category object identify magical item animal remains natural material everyday_object use broad_range object suggest value hold inherent item derive material original function furthermore significant_proportion object appear either subject long_term use prior concealment otherwise item little monetary value therefore conclude value item process_lead symbolic attribute may_hold due prolong use within_household inhabitant despite_difference intention differ treatment