Avebury Village & Related Megalithic Sites: Remarkable Monument, Ceremonial Landscape part 3 August 12, 2008
Posted by dodo in : Air Tickets, Beach Resorts, England, Sightseeing, Tour, Travelling Bag, Trip , trackbackOne way or another, therefore, it seems that the summit-terrace segment of Silbury had great significance. But what could that be? Patient research has revealed that it almost certainly relates to an astronomical effect that can be observed from Silbury.
Looking eastwards from the top of Silbury one can see the nearby ridge of Waden Hill, and, several miles beyond, the far skyline formed by the Marlborough Downs. In 1987, in early May the author observed that the sun rose in a slight dip in this far horizon. Later, it was noticed that the distant horizon closely mimics the contours of Waden Hill when viewed from Silbury’s summit. When the observer scrambles down to the terrace on the slope of the mound, however, the far skyline appears to drop with eye-level so that visually it only just skims the Waden ridge, and at the slight dip it actually disappears behind the bulk of Waden for a short distance. In early August in 1989 it was confirmed that the sun, by rising out of this dip — this ‘horizon window’ — seemingly rises twice as viewed from Silbury. The first sunrise occurs, as viewed from Silbury’s summit, over the far horizon of the Marlborough Downs. If the viewer than moves down to the terrace, the sun is seen to rise again a couple of minutes later, this time over nearby Waden Hill. The summit‑terrace segment of Silbury can thus be seen to be a product of astronomy being combined with the topography; the heavens united with the land.
It is as if the double-sunrise effect was engineered to celebrate the sowing and harvest times of year, which were traditionally regarded in a festive and joyous manner. In particular, Silbury can be seen as a harvest hill. This is further supported by the harvest-dependent sight-line from the Obelisk, and the fact that the building of Silbury commenced at that time of year. But the Great Goddess has three aspects — virgin, mother and hag. The Beltane double- sunrise therefore also recognizes the young, bridal aspect of the land, bedecked in blossom and harbouring the seed from which the harvest birth will ensue. Silbury is certainly a joyous monument.
The alignment between Windmill Hill and West Kennet determined the east—west positioning of Silbury, and the double-sunrise horizon configuration meant that it had to occupy a particular location north—south for the effect to occur. In its location, height and shape, therefore, Silbury Hill monumentalizes the relevant elements of land and sky within the sacred landscape of the Avebury complex. Silbury Hill is the expression of geomancy, of sacred geography, par excellence.
The Neolithic builders included one further piece of celebratory showmanship into their structure. In the moments as the sun rises, the shadow of the mound is thrown far and long onto fields to the west. An observer on top of Silbury sees a dramatic flare of light radiating off the tip of the shadow. This is an optical effect called a ‘glory’, and it is caused by refraction in dew drops on the grass or crop in the field — the Silbury Glory.
A modern mystery that is occurring around Silbury at the time of this writing have been crop circles. Throughout southern England, and occasionally elsewhere, these geometrically precise circles and rings have appeared overnight in large cornfields to the confusion of experts and researchers. Although these circles occur regularly at a number of locations, the fields immediately to the north and south of Silbury Hill have been particularly affected. Although there can be no doubt that hoax is a considerable element in the crop circles affair, some, particularly the simple circles and rings, may have had a genuine geophysical cause. Local people have reported mysterious lights playing around the Avebury monuments since at least 1983.3 A very dramatic light phenomenon was observed next to Silbury Hill on the night of 28 June 1989.
The occupier of the roadside house next to the footpath which leads up to West Kennet barrow, saw a ball of light 30-40 feet (10-13m) in diameter descending over the field to the south of Silbury, immediately across the main road from the monument. The lightball was orange in colour, with greater brilliance around its periphery. When the phenomenon made contact with the crop the bottom part of the sphere flattened. The ball gave ‘a little bounce’, then disappeared. The next day the witness found a crop circle where the light had been, and this was further confirmed by a pilot flying over the site later that day. He also reported that the circle had a ring round it.’
The mysteries ancient and modern of the Avebury complex spreak in their different ways of the great sanctity of this exceptional World Heritage site.
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