Littlestone wrote: Putting aside the rights and wrongs of climbing Silbury, I have to disagree with both The Eternal and Sanctuary when they say (to paraphrase) the view from the top is great and helps put the monument within its landscape. The view from the top isn’t that great actually because you can’t see much further than the downs immediately surrounding the monument. There’s a much better view of both Silbury and the surrounding landscape from the top of Waden Hill – from there the monument is truly in the landscape (ditto the views from the Sanctuary and Windmill Hill).
Littlestone,
I agree that the view from the top of Silbury Hill isn't the best view of the area. However, I think that the view from there is very relevent to the meaning of its construction. And if we are denied that view, then we can't possibly have a credible opinion of why Silbury Hill was built. Surely, the view from the top is crucial to the debate on why it was built. It's like saying that the orientation of the Stonehenge Avenue means nothing with respect to the construction of that monument.
Silbury Hill is a hill. Why is it a hill? That is the question. It's big, and has a flat top, so that has to be important. Is it for a view, or is it for size? If just for size, then why such a flat top?
As for access to the top, well, that is a topic worthy of debate. Control is necessary, but access has to be within that control. Otherwise, why preserve something that no-one can see?
Cheers,
TE.
Reply | with quote | Posted by The Eternal 8th September 2012ce 23:22 |
Room for a view (Littlestone, Sep 02, 2012, 10:15)- Re: Room for a view (tiompan, Sep 02, 2012, 10:41)
- Re: Room for a view (Sanctuary, Sep 02, 2012, 13:51)
- Re: Room for a view (The Eternal, Sep 08, 2012, 23:22)
- Re: Room for a view (Evergreen Dazed, Sep 10, 2012, 10:28)
- Re: Room for a view (Sanctuary, Sep 10, 2012, 13:50)
- Re: Room for a view (Looking Deeper) (Sanctuary, Sep 10, 2012, 22:09)
- Re: Room for a view...The 'missing' top! (Sanctuary, Sep 12, 2012, 20:27)
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