The History of Halloween: Unearthing Spooky Traditions Through Archaeology

Get ready to uncover the eerie origins of Halloween! From ancient Celtic rituals to mysterious witch marks carved into old buildings, archaeology reveals the spooky traditions that shaped this haunting holiday.

30 Oct 2024

Halloween is here! Whilst we now celebrate it with pumpkins, costumes, and sweets, the origins of this spooky holiday reach far back into history. Archaeology plays a key role in uncovering the roots of Halloween traditions, from ancient Celtic rituals to the early Christian festivals that shaped the holiday we know today. This year, the Council for British Archaeology invites you to explore Halloween through the lens of archaeology, blending the eerie past with modern celebrations.

 

The Ancient Origins of Halloween: Samhain and Beyond

Halloween’s roots lie in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated thousands of years ago to mark the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter. Samhain symbolised the thinning of the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead, making it a time when spirits were believed to roam the Earth.

After the Roman conquest of Britain in 43 AD, many Celtic traditions were blended into Roman festivals. As Christianity spread, the church sought to adapt these customs, transforming Samhain into All Hallows’ Eve, the precursor to Halloween. The Christian festival of All Hallows’ Day (aka. All Saint’s Day) was originally celebrated on May 13th until 844 when Pope Gregory IV moved it to November 1st -  the day following Samhain. The night or evening of Samhain therefore became known as All-hallows-eve, then Hallow Eve, and later became what we know today as Hallowe’en.

 

Samhain and Spooky Events

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Samhain Volunteer Action Camp

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Colonel Francis Hacker On Trial – What Will You Decide?

Autumn Festivals

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In addition to its spooky associations, late October and early November were important times in the UK for other historical traditions, such as droving. Drovers were responsible for moving large herds of livestock, often cattle or sheep, across long distances to market towns in the autumn months. As the harvest season drew to a close and colder weather approached, farmers needed to sell their livestock before the harsh winter set in. Droving routes crisscrossed the countryside, and local fairs and markets were bustling with activity during this time of year, making late autumn a crucial period in the agricultural calendar. Drovers themselves were skilled at navigating difficult terrains, and their work formed a vital part of the rural economy.

Droving events still take place today – although they may look a little different, as people don animal masks and parade around towns. You can find out more and join in here.

 

Halloween Activities with the Young Archaeologists’ Club

For young archaeologists (and the young at heart), the CBA’s Young Archaeologists’ Club (YAC) has lined up some exciting Halloween-themed activities that combine fun with history. Here are a few of the highlights:

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Turnip Carving

Before pumpkins took over Halloween, people in the UK carved spooky faces into turnips. This tradition stems from Irish folklore about a man named Jack who tricked the devil and was cursed to wander the Earth with a carved turnip lantern. Why not try your hand at carving a traditional turnip lantern this year?

 

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Build a Skeleton

Archaeologists often find human remains on their digs, and learning to identify bones is crucial. In this hands-on activity, you’ll build your own paper skeleton while discovering where each bone fits in the human body.

 

A Not-So-Ghostly Graveyard Tour

Graveyards are often seen as spooky places, especially around Halloween. But they are also treasure troves of history, and archaeology can reveal fascinating stories about the past. This year, why not take a Not-so-ghostly Tour of Greyfriars Graveyard? Available to watch online, this tour offers a unique look into one of Edinburgh's most famous cemeteries. Learn about easy skills that make a graveyard a perfect place to dip into archaeology and explore the history of your area!

 

Curses, Vampires, and Witches, Oh my!

Throughout history, people have feared the supernatural, and archaeology has uncovered evidence of how these fears were expressed in burial customs and everyday life. In medieval and early modern Europe, belief in vampires and witches was widespread, and this fear often manifested in how people treated their dead.

In some cases, bodies were buried with stones placed in their mouths or stakes driven through their hearts, believed to prevent the dead from rising as vampires. This year Archaeologists have discovered such "vampire burials" in Poland, and previously in Italy, where medieval communities took no chances with the undead.

Similarly, during the height of witch hysteria in Britain, suspected witches were often buried in ways that reflected fear of their powers even in death. Some were buried at crossroads to confuse their spirits, while others were buried beneath large boulders, and rarely in consecrated ground. 

 

Witch Marks at Low Whita Farm:

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One of the most intriguing aspects of archaeology is the discovery of witch marks (also known as apotropaic marks)—protective symbols carved into buildings to ward off evil spirits. These markings can be found in historic buildings across the UK, often found around windows, doorways, and fireplaces—points where evil spirits were thought to enter. These symbols include the ‘hexafoil,’ a six-petal flower-like design commonly associated with protection. Although they may look like simple carvings, these symbols were once believed to hold great power.

Low Whita Farm, a 17th-century farmstead in the Yorkshire Dales and the inspiration for the CBA's casework logo, is home to several of these marks.  Now a Grade II* listed site, it provides a unique window into both the practical and spiritual lives of its former inhabitants. The CBA played a key role in securing this designation, recognising the farm for its immense archaeological significance and rare preservation of historical features spanning from the 17th century through to the 20th century.

 

Archaeology and the Unknown

Halloween is a time to revel in the unknown, to embrace the mysterious and the unexplained. In many ways, this mirrors the work of archaeology. Every excavation, every artefact, every discovery offers a glimpse into a past that is often shrouded in mystery. While we may not find real ghosts or monsters, the stories we uncover can be just as thrilling.

From ancient rituals to burial practices, archaeology reveals the ways that humans have always sought to understand—and sometimes control—the forces of life and death. As we celebrate Halloween this year, let’s remember that some of the spookiest stories are rooted not in fiction, but in the very real history of our shared past.

 

Happy Halloween from the CBA! May your explorations of the past be as thrilling as a ghost story — minus the curses!

 

Interested in archaeology? Find out how you can get involved here.

 

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