Chalk figures in England
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Numerous chalk figures have been carved into hillsides in England. Although they are frequently considered to be ancient monuments few can trace their origins further back than a couple of hundred years. The significant exception to this is the Uffington White Horse which seems to date from sometime in the iron age.
The reasons for the creation for the figures are varied and obscure. The Uffington Horse probably held religious significance whereas the Cerne Abbas giant might well have been a work of political satire. The figures are usually created by the cutting away of the top layer of relatively poor soil on suitable hillsides. This exposes the white chalk beneath which contrasts well with the short green hill grass and the image is clearly visible for a considerable distance.
Despite some of the figures being of great age they are at the same time relatively new. The figures need to be maintained to stay visible and local people often work to restore their local landmark on a regular basis, thereby continuing an unbroken tradition.
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[edit] Some of the most significant chalk figures
- Alton Barnes white horse, Wiltshire (1812)
- Broad Town white horse, Wiltshire (1864)
- Cerne Abbas giant, Dorset (popularly believed to be ancient, but recently dated to c. 17th century)
- Cleadon Hills white horse, Tyne and Wear (before 1887)
- Old Devizes white horse, or the Snobs' horse (1845)
- New Devizes white horse (1999)
- Cherhill or Oldbury white horse, Wiltshire (1780)
- Folkestone white horse, Kent (2003)
- Hackpen or Broad Hinton or Winterbourne Bassett white horse, Wiltshire (1838?)
- Hindhead white horse, Surrey (before 1913, lost)
- Ham Hill or Inkpen white horse, Wiltshire (1865-1877)
- Kilburn White Horse, Yorkshire (1857)
- Lenham Memorial Cross
- Old Litlington white horse, Sussex (c.1838)
- New Litlington white horse, Sussex (1925)
- Marlborough or Preshute white horse, Wiltshire (1804)
- Osmington White Horse, Dorset (c.1808)
- old Pewsey white horse, Wiltshire (1785)
- new Pewsey white horse, Wiltshire (1937)
- Rockley white horse, Wiltshire (discovered 1948, now lost)
- Tan Hill white horse, Wiltshire (lost)
- Uffington White Horse (Bronze Age, 1400 BC to 600 BC)
- Westbury White Horse (in the parish of Bratton), Wiltshire (before 1742)
- Wye Crown, Kent
- Long Man of Wilmington, Sussex (c. 16th century)
- Whipsnade Zoo white lion, on the Dunstable Downs, Bedfordshire (1931)
[edit] Lost figures
Since hill figures need to be maintained by the removal of regrown turf only those that have motivated the local populace to look after them have survived. Ancient figures all have an associated fair or ceremony which involves maintaining them.
Un maintained figures gradually fade away. ( See list of lost figures here). Notable is the Firle Corn at Firle Beacon, Sussex discovered by infrared photography and likely to be prehistoric in origin.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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