Magia ochronna przeciw czarownicom, złemu urokowioraz inne środki apotropaicznew świetle znalezisk archeologicznych w Europie
Protective magic against witchcraft, evil spell,and other apotropaic means in the lightof archaeological excavations from Europe

Summary/Abstract: The paper discusses archaeological excavations from Europe interpreted as deposits against witchcraft, witches or other persons with some sort of power. Author investigates an offering custom and a variety of objects connected with the phenomena, i.e. lead object with magical spells, prayers, and magical signs. The custom was widespread in medieval Scandinavia and Northern Germany, however it originates from Ancient times. Author presents excavations and minor objects discovered inside buildings, i.e. pieces of paper with written spells hidden in wooden beams. Many discoveries of this kind come from Germany, however similar written spells are known from France, Luxembourg, or the United States of America. The paper discuss other issues as well. Author presents “witches’ bottles”, or vessels filled with irons subjects, hair, nails, and urine. These vessels were hidden to cure any illness and to punish a person responsible for this illness – it was believed that the person was a witch. Numerous “bottles” of this kind have been discovered in England, some of them are known from the USA. The author discusses also a custom of putting pieces of placenta into the vessels discovered inside buildings, in cellars or under a floor. Numerous discoveries with this kind are known from Germany and recently from Poland as well.

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