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Silbury Hill

Silbury's spiral path

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Littlestone L
Littlestone Nov 3, 2005 20:16:01
Replying to Ishmael

>Good chance the top was meant to be flat eh?<

Yes, and coupled with the fact that the top of Silbury corresponds closely with the top of the surrounding hills (when viewed from the top of those hills) it is not unreasonable to assume that the top of Silbury was indeed designed to flat. Which brings us back to the point of this thread - ie that if the top was designed to be flat a (spiral) path would have been needed to get there (it's just not possible to go <i>straight</i> up and down Silbury in a dignified manner).

Alternatively, it is possible that this flat top was <i>not</i> used for ceremonial reasons but was made flat in order that it fitted into some greater scheme that included the surrounding landscape. Unless I'm missing something there really are only those two options.

P Pilgrim
Pilgrim Nov 3, 2005 20:40:22
Replying to Littlestone

Hi, Littlestone,

I think that Silbury is as high as it is, and has a flat top because it needs to be seen from all approaches, and must be known to be constructed. Approaching it from the ground, it sits squat and hard; welcoming and aloof all in the one eyeful. Only when you get up onto the Ridgeway does it loose its majority. To be viewed from there, it would need something to make it stand out from those lovely rolling Wiltshire hills; thus, the flatness of its constructed bonce leaves one in no doubt that it was designed rather than naturally occuring, and its height puts it there to be viewed from this part of the landscape. (at least, that's my belief).

Peace

Pilgrim

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