Long Man of Wilmington
Wilmington Giant · Man of Wilmington
Early Modern likely 16th–17th c.; Bronze Age claim unproven·Early Modern British; alternate prehistoric hypothesized·🇬🇧 East Sussex (South Downs), United Kingdom
About
About Long Man of Wilmington
69 m human figure outlined in concrete blocks on steep 45m-cut Windover Hill (South Downs) holding staves/pilgrimage staffs in each hand, origin enigmatic: possibly Early Modern 16th–17th c. but some antiquarian argued Roman or Neolithic; 2003 Sussex Archaeological OSL of associated lynchets ambiguous. Largest human hill figure in Sussex Downs, pair with Litlington White Horse nearby.
Why it mattersLargest anthropomorphic hill figure in Downs; chronologic enigma within English chalk figure series
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Age true Neolithic vs Tudor copy hypothesis
- 02Staves interpretation – staves vs scythe vs doorway posts
Theories
- 01Pilgrimage route marker for Wilmington Priory
- 02Tudor political statement of man-time
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 1500–1710 suggested, documented drawing 1710 by John Rowley
- Period
- Early Modern likely 16th–17th c.; Bronze Age claim unproven
- Culture
- Early Modern British; alternate prehistoric hypothesized
- Purpose
- Waymarker, pilgrimage symbol, or Neolithic deity – contested lot
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1710
Earliest sketch by Rowley
1874
Marked with yellow bricks
1969
Replaced with concrete blocks
On the ground
Structures & features
50.8144° N · 0.1853° W · 50 m · 2 mapped features
Long Man outline
hill figure69 m cloaked figure with two staffs
50.8144° N · 0.1852° WWindover Hill flint mines (adjacent)
neolithic mineNeolithic flint mines above figure – possible temporal link claim
50.8148° N · 0.1860° W
Gallery