Found during an archaeological excavation to uncover Poole’s Medieval past this strange object is a bone from the throat and upper palate of the Wrasse, a type of fish. Its significance, however, could go far beyond its interest as a natural history specimen…
Fisherfolk and sailors throughout history often carried a bone like this, which they called a ‘Bollan Cross’, as a good luck charm against all sorts of physical and supernatural threats. Its triangular shape was thought to represent the crucifix. This superstition lasted well into the 1900s and became particularly associated with the Manx (people from the Isle of Man). You can still buy miniature Bollan Crosses today, made from silver or gold, to hang round your neck or to go on charm bracelets.
The round glassy ‘teeth’ on the bone are used by the Wrasse to grind up its food in the back of its throat, usually shellfish they wrestle out of the rocks with their sharp front teeth. There is evidence that Wrasse were caught for food but were never a particularly popular fish, it’s likely that whenever one was caught it was quickly identified and cut up to extract the cross.
Poole Museum’s Bollan Cross was found during the excavation of a medieval boatyard in Poole during the 1980s. During the dig, neatly stacked rows of recycled ship timbers were unearthed ready to be reused and nestled among them, was this tiny Bollan Cross. Had a Poole boatbuilder or sailor lost their good luck charm while they were working? Hopefully not a bad omen!
Search for the cross, when found you’ll value it
For ever – ’tis the Manxman’s safety charm
By land or sea, where’er he chance to roam.
Males great bustards perform spectacular courtship displays, gathering at a ‘lek’ or small display ground to try to impress the females.
The great bustard has a dignified slow walk but tends to run when disturbed, rather than fly.
The hen-bird on display at The Salisbury Museum was one of the last great bustards to be eaten in the town!