Unveiling a Shocking Discovery: What We Found in a 200-Year-Old Rum Bottle!

A 200-year-old bottle found in Cleethorpes, UK, has sparked curiosity. This isn’t just any old bottle; it turns out to be a “witch bottle” filled with urine and herbs, meant to keep bad spirits at bay.

The bottle, complete with its original cork and mysterious liquid, was discovered during construction work. Its owner handed it over to the University of Lincoln for analysis, hoping to preserve it and identify its contents without breaking the seal.

Josephine McKenzie, a Senior Technician in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage department, took interest in this unique project. She passed it on to Zara Yeates, a third-year student who found the artifact intriguing.

Witch bottles date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. People would bury these bottles in their homes as protective charms against evil forces. While the practice began in the UK, it later spread to America as well.

Common items found in these bottles include animal bones, nails, and hair, all tied to superstitious beliefs. When Yeates X-rayed the bottle, she found no solid objects, just liquid and some sediment. This led to a new theory: the bottle likely follows a tradition from East Anglia, where similar bottles were filled with urine and plant materials like herbs and flowers.

Using advanced techniques like X-ray fluorescence and multispectral imaging, the team confirmed that the bottle contained bodily fluid and degraded plant matter. This suggests it was indeed a witch bottle or could relate to a sailor’s practice of burying a urine-filled bottle at home for safe journeys.

Interestingly, the discovery nearly took a different turn. The builders who found it thought it contained rum and were tempted to drink it! Yeates noted that this bottle type was made between 1790 and 1840, as it was hand-blown before glass molds became available.

While the mystery of the bottle is resolved, its story isn’t over. After more conservation work, the bottle will be showcased at the University of Lincoln’s exhibition in June 2025, before being returned to its owner. It will remain filled with its historical liquid, adding to its intriguing tale.

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