An Archaeoastronomical Discovery
These videos document the remarkable Summer Solstice discovery at the Long Man of Wilmington, filmed on location by Hugh Newman and Stuart Mason.
The discovery reveals a striking relationship between the Long Man of Wilmington and the rising and setting Sun at the Summer Solstice, providing a fascinating new perspective on the ancient chalk hill figure and its surrounding landscape.
Through the study of archaeoastronomy, Stuart Mason has identified solar alignments connecting the Long Man with significant points in the annual movement of the Sun. The Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, is particularly significant, as the position of sunrise and sunset creates an extraordinary alignment with the landscape and the Long Man.
Summer Solstice At The Long Man Of Wilmington
Archaeoastronomy and the Long Man of Wilmington
In this video, Stuart Mason introduces the fascinating subject of archaeoastronomy — the study of how the Sun, Moon and stars may have been observed, understood and incorporated into ancient monuments and landscapes.
Stuart then turns his attention to the Long Man of Wilmington in East Sussex, exploring the remarkable relationship between the chalk hill figure, the surrounding landscape and the movement of the Sun throughout the year.
His research into the Long Man has led to the identification of significant solstice and equinox solar alignments, including the remarkable Summer Solstice discovery and the distinctive Equinox shadow alignments across the figure.
Watch the video to hear Stuart explain archaeoastronomy and the Long Man of Wilmington, and discover how studying the movement of sunlight and shadow can reveal a very different perspective on this extraordinary Sussex landscape.
Autumn Equinox Shadow Alignment 4.44pm
One of the most intriguing discoveries in the landscape surrounding the Long Man of Wilmington is the remarkable Autumn Equinox shadow alignment identified by Stuart Mason.
At approximately 4.44pm on the Autumn Equinox, the position of the Sun creates a distinctive and repeatable pattern of light and shadow across the Long Man of Wilmington. At this precise time, the shadow appears to bisect the figure diagonally, creating a striking division between light and darkness.
This extraordinary phenomenon is part of Stuart Mason's wider archaeoastronomical research into the Long Man, investigating the relationship between the ancient chalk hill figure, the Sun and the surrounding landscape.
The Long Man, the Sun and the Equinox
The Autumn Equinox is one of the key points in the solar year, when the Sun crosses the celestial equator and day and night are approximately equal in length. As the Sun follows its changing path across the sky, the angle and direction of sunlight falling across the landscape also changes.
At the Long Man of Wilmington, this creates a fascinating opportunity to observe the interaction between solar position, landscape, light and shadow.
Stuart Mason's observation of the 4.44pm Autumn Equinox alignment is particularly striking because the same shadow effect can be observed repeatedly under the same seasonal conditions. The phenomenon can therefore be experienced and investigated rather than being a one-off visual occurrence.
Spring Equinox 3.44pm
The shadowplay at the Long Man also occurs on the Spring Equinox at 3.44pm. This repeatable solar and shadow phenomena can be observered every year.
The Shadow Serpent of Chichén Itzá
Perhaps even more remarkable is the visual comparison with the famous Shadow Serpent phenomenon at Chichén Itzá in Mexico which occurs at a very similar time in the afternoon and lasts over an hour.
At the ancient Maya pyramid known as El Castillo, the setting Sun around the equinox produces a series of triangular shadows along the pyramid's northern staircase, creating the celebrated appearance of a serpent descending the monument.
The phenomenon at Chichén Itzá and the Autumn Equinox shadow alignment at the Long Man of Wilmington occur in very different cultural and geographical settings, yet both demonstrate the extraordinary visual effects that can be created when solar position, architecture or landscape, and carefully aligned surfaces interact.
For anyone interested in archaeoastronomy, this parallel raises fascinating questions about how ancient landscapes and monuments may have been connected to the movements of the Sun.
Incredibly both shadow effects occur around the same time 4.30pm - 4.44pm at respective local time zones.
A Repeatable Solar Phenomenon
The significance of the Long Man alignment lies in its relationship with a precise point in the solar calendar. The 4.44pm Autumn Equinox shadow provides a specific observation that can be returned to and investigated year after year.
This repeatability is central to the archaeoastronomical discovery. Rather than simply looking at the Long Man as an isolated chalk figure, Stuart Mason's research examines how the figure interacts with the Sun and the wider Sussex landscape.
The discovery forms part of a broader series of solstice, equinox and cross-quarter day solar alignments that Stuart Mason has identified in his research into the Long Man of Wilmington.
Discover the Autumn Equinox Alignment
The Long Man of Wilmington Autumn Equinox discovery offers a fascinating new way to look at one of Britain's most enigmatic chalk hill figures.
Watch the footage, examine the photographs and explore the alignment for yourself. At 4.44pm on the Autumn Equinox, the changing position of the Sun reveals a remarkable interaction of light, shadow and landscape at the Long Man.
Could the landscape around the Long Man contain more astronomical connections than we have previously recognised?
Explore Stuart Mason's archaeoastronomical discoveries at the Long Man of Wilmington and discover the remarkable solar alignments revealed at the Equinox and Solstice.