Protection/Apotropaic markings in Mines

Back on topic - we only really see marks on the ceiling and walls which might be signs of protection. I suppose anything that would rot and disintegrate will have been long gone by now. There was one pair of boots found in a Merstham quarry back in the 70s which would have dated from 1810-20. But that's about all I can think of.
 
I wonder if when an old miner (or younger one?) left this world, was there a sentiment to place some relevant personal item in the mine as some kind of tribute or recognition for his efforts there? Probably not, but rather like our diggers' wellies, maybe it was a "thing" for some? Maybe an item of clothing, or a tool? This is nothing more than pure speculation on my part.
One thing is for sure, we'll ever actually no to be certain. I am convinced, given all the facts such as costs, placement, single items, there is more to it than just discarding old boots! And yes I kind of like your sentiment. Miners were/are often buried with their helmets, I'm willing to bet a few cavers have too!
 
This is the pair of Merstham boots from 1810-20. Sadly when I first saw then, there wasn't much left. This photo is from around 1970 I think. It's a bit blurry and looks like it was from a Kodak Instamatic. Even the tobacco tin used for scale is a period piece now.

ff boots.jpeg
 
Quite possible, but would it have really bothered them that much back in the day? Perhaps! We also do know it was a real thing in houses, cats, boots, and other parafanalia were left in walls to either ward off spirits or bring luck etc...

I would argue that when found in pairs, but there are plenty of examples where single boots or non matching boots are found together.

The little bit of old man you use to be able to access in a certain modern working had a pair next to an old tub, in that case I would suggest it could be either!
Yes, sometimes hard to be sure - in your quoted example, I recall there were quite a few hand tools like saws left in there too which struck me as odd and wasteful. Maybe there was an entrance run-in on that particular one and they gave up without attempting to recover the tools?

On the subject of dry feet, wasn't it Eric Richardson who related what his grandfather told him about how the Cumberland miners used to use soft chopped straw instead of socks as a clog liner; they'd empty out the wet straw once they got to the workings and would have dry straw in their pockets to replace it and so have warm dry feet again while they were doing their shift.
 
On the subject of dry feet, wasn't it Eric Richardson who related what his grandfather told him about how the Cumberland miners used to use soft chopped straw instead of socks as a clog liner; they'd empty out the wet straw once they got to the workings and would have dry straw in their pockets to replace it and so have warm dry feet again while they were doing their shift.

I guess they may have been rather more careful than us. We can go back to a nice warm car and a change of socks after a few hours exploring, if we catch a cold or get blisters we can visit the chemist or possibly take a few days off work with sick pay. The Old Man would have to crack on with any sores/blisters/fevers or lose pay + infection or illness much more likely to cause more serious issues. A great incentive to look after your feet I'd say....?

Perhaps that may be why a boot left in the mine is also lucky - a good boot being a rather tangible protection against such misfortune!
 
I guess they may have been rather more careful than us. We can go back to a nice warm car and a change of socks after a few hours exploring, if we catch a cold or get blisters we can visit the chemist or possibly take a few days off work with sick pay. The Old Man would have to crack on with any sores/blisters/fevers or lose pay + infection or illness much more likely to cause more serious issues. A great incentive to look after your feet I'd say....?

Perhaps that may be why a boot left in the mine is also lucky - a good boot being a rather tangible protection against such misfortune!
I do like that thought too!
 
Quite possible, but would it have really bothered them that much back in the day? Perhaps! We also do know it was a real thing in houses, cats, boots, and other parafanalia were left in walls to either ward off spirits or bring luck etc...

I would argue that when found in pairs, but there are plenty of examples where single boots or non matching boots are found together.

The little bit of old man you use to be able to access in a certain modern working had a pair next to an old tub, in that case I would suggest it could be either!
Some people are superstitous and mines are definitly an environment where these thoughts could come to the forefront so, yeah I'm pretty sure miners would do, or not do, things for 'luck'.
It's also a very practical occupation and they would have had ways of working that we probably don't understand the nuance of which may well result in us finding unexpected things down there.

Quite possibly boots fall into both categories. Maybe even what was once practical becomes in time a tradition.
 
Yes, sometimes hard to be sure - in your quoted example, I recall there were quite a few hand tools like saws left in there too which struck me as odd and wasteful. Maybe there was an entrance run-in on that particular one and they gave up without attempting to recover the tools?

On the subject of dry feet, wasn't it Eric Richardson who related what his grandfather told him about how the Cumberland miners used to use soft chopped straw instead of socks as a clog liner; they'd empty out the wet straw once they got to the workings and would have dry straw in their pockets to replace it and so have warm dry feet again while they were doing their shift.
I have just been reading accounts of felt hats lined with straw for extra padding incase rock falls & for comfort .
 
In a certain Cotswold stone mine/ underground quarry there's a whole collection of boots deep into the mine. We never understood why. It's also a pretty dry mine.
Numerous clay pipes were also found but possibly explained away by the miner stashing it in a drystone wall and forgetting where he'd put it?


Back to the original thread... we also came across a number of "grate" like symbols (a box with verticle lines) drawn by candle soot on the roofs of chambers. No idea what they were meant to signify? Anyone?
 
In the Teesdale lead mines I've seen many clogs and boots left behind, either singly or in pairs, often in the harder-to-reach places, but clearly emplaced, not lost.

The accepted wisdom supposed them to be votive offerings, possibly to thank whichever entity held sway in that locality, for granting permission to extract the mineral wealth and for keeping them safe whilst doing so.

As such we tried not to touch, let alone disturb, out of respect for whatever ancient tradition was being represented.
 
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