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Thunderstones (Belemnites) Thunderstones acquired their
name from the ancient belief that they were created at the point where lightning
struck the ground.
A
large Belemnite from Charmouth (Left), historically believed to be created by
lightning
During the middle ages their
possession was believed to protect the bearer from being struck by lightning or
becoming bewitched by demons. They were also thought to contain medicinal
properties capable of curing a wide range of illnesses and preventing
nightmares.
In reality Thunderstones are
the remains of a squid like creature called a Belemnite. The bullet shaped mass
was originally located at the rear of the creature, serving as protection from
attack and for balance while swimming. Fossil evidence of these
creatures can be found within the Jurassic rocks around Lyme Regis.
Shepherd's Crown (Echinoid)
A
Shepherd’s Crown found at Seven Sisters (Left). Witches collected them for their magical power. The Shepherd’s Crown is
surrounded with ancient stories which tell of their magical powers. Witches believed the five
lines across the stone represented the fives points of the Pentagram.
For the witches that collected them, they were a prised possession. They were also part of the
pharmacists' stock. A Cretaceous sea urchin spine, found in Palestine, was used
for almost 2,000 years. Pline, the Roman historian of the 1st century, said that
whoever licked it would find his gallstones broken.
These fossils are in fact
the remains of Sea Urchins which lived in colonies within coastal waters.
Much like their living descendants, these creatures possessed an
artillery of spines which protruded from the shell.
Each of the lines across the shell are made up of small holes, to which
the spines were attached. Fossil evidence of these
creatures dates back to the Jurassic period, although they’re best known from
their occurrence within Cretaceous chalk dating from around 60-70 million years
ago.
Snakestones (Ammonites) Snakestones were long
believed to be the petrified remains of snakes. Evidence of their use for medicinal purposes can be found
during the 3rd century, at which time the Greeks alleged they could cure
blindness and snakebites.
Ammonites
were believed to be the remains of petrified snakes Other legends include the Abbess of Whitby who rounded up the snakes from around her Abbey and threw them into the sea. As they fell the snakes coiled and petrified to become ‘snakestones’. In truth the ammonite was a marine creature comprising of a coiled shell within which a the creature lived. More information about ammonites click here.
Devil's Toenail (Bivalve shell)
When these fossils could not
be explained by orthodox wisdom the locals believed they were made as the Devil
clipped his toenails. They were
also used as a cure for arthritic joint pains.
Devil's toenail In reality the devil's
toenail is the remains of the Bivalve, a small shell comprised of a flat
underside lid and a curly upper section. In
most instances the two are separated.
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