Long Man of Wilmington, Hill figure in Sussex, England
This hill figure sits on the slope of Windover Hill near Wilmington in East Sussex and shows a human outline holding two long poles. The entire shape measures about 69 meters in height and appears as a white line against the grass when seen from a distance.
The first written mention dates to 1710, though archaeological studies suggest the figure was made between the 16th and 17th centuries. During the Second World War it was covered with material to prevent German aircraft from using it for navigation.
The white outline of the figure was originally created by removing turf and later made permanent with concrete blocks. Today the site belongs to an archaeological society that regularly maintains the shape to keep it visible.
Access is through paths maintained by the Sussex Archaeological Society, with parking available nearby. The best view is from the bottom of the hill or from more distant points, as the size is hard to grasp when close.
Some theories link the two poles to farming tools or astronomical symbols, but no interpretation has been proven conclusively. The figure was marked with bricks in the 1870s before the current concrete blocks were laid in the 1960s.
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