Witchmark symbols were found carved under the floorboards at Knole, one of Britian's most historic houses, during an archaeological survey.
"It gives us an insight into the minds of the people who lived and worked at Knole and their belief systems," Nathalie Cohen, an archaeologist at the National Trust, told Independent about the markings, adding that the discovery was "a complete surprise."
The markings were dated back to the 17th century, which was determined by the archaeologists who used tree-ring dating, reports Independent.
It's believed that the carvings were made by a craftsman working for Knole's owner, Thomas Sackville, just before a visit from King James I.
After visiting the house and seeing the markings, building archaeologist James Wright, from the Museum of London Archeology, told the Independent the King had a "keen interest in witchcraft and passed a witchcraft law, making it an offence punishable by death and even wrote a book on the topic entitled Daemonologie".
This was the first time a floorboard was lifted in the historical house.
