The Wire

Ever done a spot of renovating and stumbled come across an old shoe, a coin or empty bottle hidden in an out-of-the-way place in the house? Chances are you’ve probably dismissed it as old rubbish left behind by the long-gone previous occupants of your house. Well, these every day objects might have a lot more significance than you think. Ian Evans is a writer and historian who restores old houses. For the past 18 months he’s also been researching the lost history of British folklore beliefs and customs practiced by Australia’s early white settlers. According to Ian, some ordinary looking objects found hidden in houses dating back to the 19th and early 20th century may actually have ritual significance. He says a host of hidden objects have been uncovered from around Australia, and their purpose was to guard against evil spirits and witchcraft. Ahead of a talk tonight in Sydney on ritual objects in old houses and buildings, he spoke to Erica Vowles, about why this part of Australia’s early white history has remained so hidden up until now.

More on old houses and ritual objects
National Trust