morfe
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Spirit of Place II
Jul 02, 2003, 15:51
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I propose we don't let the spirit of HH descend into personal insults based upon one's perceptions of a 'type' of people/theology that we choose to identify with a poster, rather than respecting the individual.
THis place has long been a collective of differing opinions, all joined by an affinity with Antiquarian pursuits or interests, or just sharing ideas.
I'll take my cap off to everyone that has had the 'courage' to talk about their relationship with the landscape, it's so unfashionable these days I know, but it exists. I prefer to gain something from it.
Onwards and Outwards!!
much love
Morfe
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jimit
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Re: Spirit of Place II
Jul 02, 2003, 16:01
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Thanks for reading my mind (Or post"Shestu").
Agreed ;)
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pebblesfromheaven
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Re: Spirit of Place II
Jul 02, 2003, 17:01
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Can I agree and add -
thanks for starting a fresh thread morfe!!!
I gave up on the other one
.o0O0o.
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Shestu
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Re: Spirit of Place II
Jul 02, 2003, 17:05
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I've said more than enough on this subject but I would love to hear from others. Maybe we should set a rule like no commenting on the comments or feelings of others??
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TomBo
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Re: Spirit of Place II
Jul 02, 2003, 17:07
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I agree with all of that fairness and light, Morfe.
(and my pooter was starting to creak beneath the weight of the other thread too...)
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morfe
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Re: Spirit of Place II
Jul 02, 2003, 17:11
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Hurray!!!!
Anyone know anything about Cissbury or Chanctonbury rings? I seem to remember one or both of them were reported often to have a weird atmosphere??
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pebblesfromheaven
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Actual reply
Jul 02, 2003, 17:24
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I can't remember giving a reply on the other thread.
So, for what it's worth, I'll try to give my thoughts now...These thoughts are not specifically for "ancient" sites, but those which I also consider to be special to me for reasons of beauty or location.
When I visit a place for the first time, my feelings are usually created by a mixture of what mood I am in, the reasons for going (special trip or just passing) and who I am with.
My feelings on subsequent visits are usually merged with memories from the last visit. I usually think of the people I have been there with before.
I usually "take stock" and pause for a moment or two. I try to imagine what it looked like originally (with ancient sites) and the reasons, but I most likely don't succeed.
If I feel a place is boring I move on.
If not, I stay a while longer.
I usually take a few photos.
If I feel a hankering, I return.
That's it.
.o0O0o.
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Shestu
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Re: Spirit of Place II
Jul 02, 2003, 17:46
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Would BrigantesNation venture to comment? Please!
Please!
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nigelswift
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Re: Spirit of Place II
Jul 02, 2003, 19:14
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"Maybe we should set a rule like no commenting on the comments or feelings of others??"
That'll never work, stoopid yank. Oops, sorry, wrong thread!
;)
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BrigantesNation
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Re: Spirit of Place II
Jul 02, 2003, 20:29
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I don't really know what to say. I am a mixture of things, some extremely factual and analytical, others more open to atmosphere.
I know that when I listen to nature, I find more out and discover more. I know that if I listen only to archaeologists, I usually miss the whole point of the site.
The first thing I try to bear in mind, is that there was nothing stupid or uncivilised about our ancient ancestors. In many ways, they understood their enviroment much better than we do ours. This is because ours changes so often, as does the way that we learn things. I therefore try to take the things they may have done seriously.
I am also am an economist, and I understand that in order to take manpower to build a large structure, one that does not appear to relate directly to the day to day activities of living, then there has to be a cost incurred, there also has to be a control structure and an economy that allows the families of those working on the structure to continue existing whilst their kin are working on those structures.
Reading Roman or Greek works, shows that by the Iron Age, people had a very advanced concept of gods and spirits, they believed that all aspects of their world were controlled by a complex mix of higher powers.
Having read Roman and Greek literature, I can see for example how important "signs" were, today we laugh at such things, yet why do we feel superior enough to judge people that we do not understand.
In my roamings I do, in many ways try to put myself in the shoes of those that have gone before. It's very difficult, since very little remains of the environment that faced the ancients, and I have very little knowledge however on a practical level this can pay great benefits. To have a settlement, you need farms, you also need trade. To have a common set of "monuments" over a widespread area you must have strong cultural links and that implies trade.
So when I visit sites, I'm looking for the wider perspective, where was the water, where were the other villages they traded with, what did they trade, what longer distance routes were likely to have been in use.
but there is also, the spiritual side to my roamings. I'm an agnostic, I don't ascribe to any particular belief, but I feel to a certain extent, spiritual, and I know that our ancestors were largely spiritual as well, this was either forced on them (in the form of a common religion) or happily accepted, either way, there is no reason to suspect otherwise. And I do have my own spiritual foibles. For example, I have animal guides. When I'm out and about, I often come accross animals in unusual places or circumstances. I find I ignore these and miss things. Hares and deer should be followed if possible. Sheep complain if you are going the wrong way, owls in close proximity tell of great things ahead (or if facing away from you, tell you to back off) I'm not saying that this is anything special, just that I tend to have all my close contact with animals at or near ancient sites, and that by following my instincts they have helped me find other things. I'm happy to be called a romantic or even a twit, I don't really care. I just know to deny such things only serves to isolate me from my own spirit.
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