GLADMAN Nov 20, 2010 00:43

Although I've visited the horse/dragon and hillfort, I've never been on Dragon Hill. Will have to go cos this image suddenly renders it essential......

tjj Nov 20, 2010 00:57

I've only looked down upon it from the White Horse, Gladman ... it is at a much lower level than Uffington Castle so actually going onto Dragon Hill seems a bit like hard work - down, up, back down, then back up to the Castle. I too must make the effort though (easy-peasy for you I feel).

GLADMAN Nov 20, 2010 10:41

It's intruiging, isn't it? I'd go along with a 'natural, but scarped to give the right profile' suggestion. Which raises all the questions about why it had to have that profile? A flat summit would suggest occupation of some nature, and judging by the lack of reference to structures (post holes etc) - and defences - this would seem to have been temporary and sporadic... i.e ritualistic. An enigma worth a trip on its own.

Chance Nov 21, 2010 18:48

Well worth exploring. I posted some pictures looking up at the hill from the Icknield Way - see

themodernantiquarian.com/site/11327/icknield_way.html

Check out the wells too, if you get time but watch the traffic!

goffik Nov 21, 2010 19:29

Wells? ((Ears prick up!))

ooh, ya tease - I gotta get me back there now, haven't I? :D

G x

A

AngieLake Nov 22, 2010 02:00

Fantastic photo! Well done.

Am sure it was for ceremonial use.

Was on Dragon Hill one Summer Solstice afternoon, and dowsed [using L-shaped rods] a petal-shaped ritual movement there.

See this link if you are interested: megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=a312&file=index&do=showpic&pid=57351&orderby=dateD

Movements are numbered in sequence. Different colours help make sense of overlapping moves. The inset shows the final move.

I 'ask' for the earliest and most important ritual movements at sites, but I guess this one might also represent something like a maypole dance.

tjj Nov 22, 2010 08:26

Thanks Angie, your comments are always welcome - will check your link out later (have to go out now).

Chance, I read your fieldnotes last night - always informative and thorough; I'll go back soon and see if I can find the springs. I have walked through Woolstone and seen the fast flowing little river, guess I can follow it back to the springs.

Chance Nov 22, 2010 08:56

The wells or springs (multiple), start just below the road level in a horse shoe shape, directly in-line with the horse. See my pics.

Woolstone villagers have traditional rights to this water so no extraction at source.

Sacred element of site should be viewed as part of overall Uffington complex but access problem due to traffic.