A further thought on Paul Mohler's unidentified wooden object: consider
the possibility that it was a ritual concealment intended to divert
unwelcome and evil nocturnal visitors from harming the human occupants of
the house.
The position of the object within the structure of the building might
offer a clue to this. Ritual concealments commonly were made close to
points of access: doors, windows and especially chimneys and fireplaces.
Shoes and cats are relatively well known concealments but other domestic
artifacts were also used for this purpose. Objects associated with
children have a higher rate of use for this purpose, the intention being
(I assume) to employ the power of the good and the innocent against evil.
This practice continued until at least the 1930s.There is some information
about this on my website: www.oldhouses.com.au.

Ian Evans

> ------------------------------
>
> Date:    Mon, 13 Nov 2006 14:30:32 -0500
> From:    Paul Mohler <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Wooden Artifact Indentification
>
> Since we've gotten to the bottom of the LRI case, perhaps people would
> like
> another opportunity to identify a mystery piece.  The piece in question
> was
> located within the wall of an early 1900's farmhouse in Nash County, NC.
> The property owner found it during a restoration project.  It consists of
> two pieces of wood that are tapered at the end to form what I would assume
> to be handles.  Each piece of wood or handle measures about 26 inches long
> and 3 inches wide, tapering down to about 1.25 inches at its end.