The Long Man |
| Hob Uid: 408705 | |
Location :
East Sussex
Wealden
Long Man
|
| Grid Ref : TQ5425203451 |
| Summary : Hill figure near Wilmington of a man holding two staffs. An article of 1779 shows it with a rake and scythe instead. The date of the figure is unknown, although speculation has drifted back as far as the late prehistoric or Roman periods. In 1874 the figure was restored by the Duke of Devonshire and seven thousand yellow bricks were used to outline the figure. These bricks were removed and replaced with concrete blocks in 1969. During this work some excavations were carried out by the Sussex Archaeological Society. Some fragments of fired clay were found during the excavations, and it has been suggested that they are fragments of Roman tile. The site is now maintained by East Sussex County Council. |
More information : (TQ 54250344) The Long Man (NR) (1)
The Long Man of Wilmington is 231 ft 6" high, the staffs 237'6" and 241'6" respectively and 115ft apart. It is noteworthy that the whole hill-figure is elongated to counteract the effects of foreshortening. There is no attempt at anatomical detail but some sort of facial features can generally be traced depending how recently they have been remodelled. The figure although generally known as the 'Long Man' is also known as 'The Lanky Man' the 'Lone Man' and under overgrown conditions as 'The Green Man'. The earliest
account (a) is in 1779 where a sketch represents the two staffs as a rake and scythe. (2)
A Roman coin of Constantius shows a similar figure with two upright staves though the connection is doubtful. Otherwise the figure is considered to be probably prehistoric, perhaps Bronze Age. The grooves in the turf making his outline were set with bricks in 1873 to ensure permanence and visibility. (3)
Roman bricks are alleged to have been found at the restoration of the Long Man in 1874. (4)
(See oblique A/P) (5)
The outline of bricks was replaced by concrete blocks by Sx Arch Trust in July-Aug 1969. (6)
"The Long Man" as described and illustrated. See official guide (with TQ 50 SW 30). To be supplied by Field Surveyor. (7)
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