Blurs

Deep inside a limestone gorge on the border between Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, the walls of several caves carry a strange record of fear. They are covered with hundreds of symbols. Some are simple crossed lines. Others resemble letters, initials, circles, boxes and intricate mazes. Many were scratched directly into the limestone around dark openings, cracks and hollows. For years, some of these markings were dismissed as little more than old graffiti. Then archaeologists and heritage specialists realised they were looking at something very different. These were apotropaic marks — symbols intended to turn away evil, misfortune or supernatural forces. The discovery at Creswell Crags revealed what is believed to be the largest concentration of protective marks ever found in British caves. And their location makes the discovery particularly intriguing. The same caves that contain some of Britain's oldest known prehistoric artwork were later revisited by people who apparently feare...