Re: Imbedded paganism | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Lyneham Longbarrow 1

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Imbedded paganism

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moss Sep 20, 2006 10:50:26

Replying to Littlestone

Here's the photo of the wood...
http://www.oodwooc.co.uk/ph_tockenham.htm
It would be nice to think that it was a "sacred celtic tree", but probably it had saxon origins.
Seems to me that there is a whole history waiting to be uncovered about Wiltshire churches, and their siting on old stone/pagan sites. Clyffe Pypard is again in the magic prehistoric area round Avebury, about 6 miles away.

nigelswift Sep 20, 2006 11:02:06

Replying to moss

It says "there are curiously placed pieces of wood among the stonework of the walls, near the floor"

Are they all at the same level? They look a bit like exposed floor joists to me.

Littlestone Sep 20, 2006 11:21:05

Replying to moss

Seems to me that there is a whole history waiting to be uncovered about Wiltshire churches, and their siting on old stone/pagan sites.

Yes, and a good few of those churches run along the course of the Winterbourne as it winds its way to Avebury. I've always been puzzled why there are so many churches in such a concentrated area, and where the population must have been very small (perhaps the population was very strong in other ways ;-)

Forgot to mention, if anyone does go to the church of St Peter at Clyffe Pypard, follow the path at the side of the church, it will bring you out into a magical little meadow.