Previously undocumented evil-averting rituals have been uncovered in a research project looking at the use of "magic" in 19th century Tasmania.

Historian Ian Evans carried out the Tasmanian Magic Project over two weeks at 30 historic properties in the state's southern midlands.

Dr Evans said the project confirmed the use of superstitious practices were widespread in Tasmania.

"Our belief that there would be plenty of magic marks has been confirmed," he said.

The "magic marks" took various forms, such as circular scratchings known as hexafoils, and were used by European settlers as protection from "evil", most likely attacks by bushrangers, absconded convicts and Aboriginals.

Dr Evans examines hexafoil markings on a wall in Tasmania. ( ABC News: Scott Ross )

Dr Evans said the most striking discovery was burn marks in horse stables.

"Burn marks have only recently been identified as having evil-averting or apotropaic purpose," he said.

Burn marks were made by holding a candle flame against the timber structure of the horse stalls.

Of the 21 stables investigated, just one did not have the burn marks.

Burn mark on wall, thought to ward off evil spirits, in Tasmania. ( ABC News: Rhiannon Shine )

Inside the 1850s-built stone stables at Shene, a property north of Hobart, Dr Evans found 58 burn marks on the seven surviving horse stalls.

He said the marks were thought to protect buildings from fire.

"Horses were extremely valuable animals and at the time when these marks were made there was no home insurance or fire brigades," he said.

Dr Evans said mystery surrounded the burn marks because there was no contemporary document defining them, but they could be linked to a secret horsemen's society.

"There was this group in England and Scotland known as the The Society of the Horseman's Word, and it was more or less a trade union for men who worked with horses," said.

"They swapped knowledge and information about the care of horses, and it is just possible that some members of The Society of the Horseman's Word came to Tasmania and so spread this practice of making burn marks as part of their ritual protections."

Close-up of hexafoil markings on a wall in Tasmanian building. ( ABC News: Rhiannon Shine )

Dr Evans said the discoveries would likely lead to new research in England.

"At this time they have no such survey going in England so they have no idea that there is such a wealth of burn marks in stables in Australia," he said.

"The number of burn marks found in stables in Tasmania is quite a revelation. I don't think our English colleagues have yet looked at stables in quite the same way.

"Here in Tasmania I think we have led the way and a new field of research has been opened up."

Dr Evans brushed off the suggestion burn marks could have been accidental.

"At Shene we have seven surviving horse stalls and some 58 burn marks in those seven stalls, so there must have been an awful lot of accidents with candles if they were accidental," he said.

"They were not. They were deliberately placed there and very carefully positioned."