The leaves of creepers, sticks, even dead birds.
People also noticed the side of the well looked like a giants skull.
Most people avoided it because they believed that they too would be turned to stone if they touched it.
Since her childhood, Mother Shiptons misshapen body aroused the curiosity of her neighbours.
But Mother Shipton gave them plenty of other things to talk about with her lyrical prophecies.
As Mother Shiptons notoriety grew, so did the fame of the petrifying well.
By then the well was so famous that Slingsby started charging visitors for guided tours around it.
In doing so, Slingsby unknowingly created Englands first visitor attraction.
Eventually, scientific analysis of the water revealed the magic behind the petrification process.
Whats amazing, however, is the speed at which petrification occurred.
Rather than centuries, small toys like teddy bears can petrify in just three to five months.
Other have left personal items such as rings and clothing, kitchen utensils, and even a bicycle.
Also see:The Petrified Waterfalls of Hierve el Agua
Sources:www.mothershipton.co.uk/Firefox.org/Britain Explorer
