 In the sixth chapter , " Written spells and charms " , Merrifield discusses the use of the written word in magical contexts . Highlighting archaeological examples from the ancient Graeco @-@ Roman world , he looks at inscriptions on lead tablets that were buried in cemeteries and amphitheatres , both places associated with the dead . Moving on to the use of magic squares , Merrifield highlights various examples of the Sator square in archaeological contexts , before also discussing squares that contained numerical data with astrological significance . He rounds off the chapter with an examination of Post @-@ Medieval curses and charms containing the written word , citing examples that have been found by archaeologists across Britain , hidden inside various parts of buildings . In the seventh chapter , " Charms against witchcraft " , he deals with archaeological evidence for a variety of Early Modern and Modern British spells designed to ward off malevolent witchcraft . After briefly discussing the role of holed stone charms , he looks at the evidence for witch bottles , making reference to their relation to beliefs about witches ' familiars . Proceeding to focus on 19th- and 20th @-@ century examples , Merrifield discusses the case of James Murrell , an English cunning man , and his involvement with the witch bottle tradition . Merrifield 's final chapter , " The ritual of superstition : recognition and potential for study " , provides an overview of the entire book , highlighting the evidence of ritual continuity from pre @-@ Christian periods to the present day . Pointing out what he sees as areas of further exploration for archaeologists , he calls for " systematic investigation " of the subject . 
 In the sixth chapter , " Written spells and charms " , Merrifield <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>discusses</mark></a> the use of the written word in magical contexts . Highlighting archaeological examples from the ancient Graeco @-@ Roman world , he <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>looks</mark></a> at inscriptions on lead tablets <a href='null_relcl' title='3'><mark>that</mark></a><a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>were</mark></a> buried in cemeteries and amphitheatres , both places associated with the dead . Moving on to the use of magic squares , Merrifield <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>highlights</mark></a> various examples of the Sator square in archaeological contexts , before also discussing squares <a href='null_relcl' title='6'><mark>that</mark></a>contained numerical data with astrological significance . He <a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>rounds</mark></a> off the chapter with an examination of Post @-@ Medieval curses and charms containing the written word , citing examples <a href='null_relcl' title='8'><mark>that</mark></a><a href='been_done' title='9'><mark>have</mark></a> been found by archaeologists across Britain , hidden inside various parts of buildings . In the seventh chapter , " Charms against witchcraft " , he <a href='uninflect' title='10'><mark>deals</mark></a> with archaeological evidence for a variety of Early Modern and Modern British spells designed to ward off malevolent witchcraft . After briefly discussing the role of holed stone charms , he <a href='uninflect' title='11'><mark>looks</mark></a> at the evidence for witch bottles , making reference to their relation to beliefs about witches <a href='null_genetive' title='12'><mark>'</mark></a>familiars . Proceeding to focus on 19th- and 20th @-@ century examples , Merrifield <a href='uninflect' title='13'><mark>discusses</mark></a> the case of James Murrell , an English cunning man , and his involvement with the witch bottle tradition . Merrifield <a href='null_genetive' title='14'><mark>'s</mark></a>final chapter , " The ritual of superstition : recognition and potential for study " , <a href='uninflect' title='15'><mark>provides</mark></a> an overview of the entire book , highlighting the evidence of ritual continuity from pre @-@ Christian periods to the present day . Pointing out what he <a href='uninflect' title='16'><mark>sees</mark></a> as areas of further exploration for archaeologists , he <a href='uninflect' title='17'><mark>calls</mark></a> for " systematic investigation " of the subject . 
In the sixth chapter , " Written spells and charms " , Merrifield discuss the use of da written word in magical contexts . Highlighting archaeological examples from the ancient Graeco @-@ Roman world , he look at inscriptions on lead tablets was buried in cemeteries and amphitheatres , both places associated with the dead . Moving on to tdause of magic squares , Merrifield highlight various examples of the Sator square in archaeological contexts , before also discussing squares contained numerical data wid astrological significance . He round offf thdahapter with an examination of Post @-@ Medieval curses and charms containing the written word , citing examples done been found by archaeologists across Britain , hidden inside various parts of buildings . In the seventh chapter , " Charms against witchcraft " , he deal with archaeological evidence fa a variety of Early Modern and Modern British spells designed to wardoffff malevolent witchcraft . After briefly discussing thedale of holed stone charms , he look at the evidence for witch bottles , wit reference to their relation to beliefs about witches  familiars . Proceeding to focus on 19th- and 20th @-@ century examples , Merrifield discuss the case of James Murrell , an English cunning man , and his involvement with the witch bottle tradition . Merrifield  final chapter , " The ritual of superstition : recognition and potential ffirstudy " , provide an overview of the daire book , highlighting the evidence of ritual continuity from pre @-@ Christian periods to the pdaent day . Pointing outt wht he see as areas of further exploration for archaeologists , he call ffa" systematic investigation " of the sudact .