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Orientation within Early Medieval Cemeteries: Some Data from North-West Wales

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 April 2011

David Longley
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Extract

In volume 81 of the Antiquaries Journal, AH and Cunich presented new evidence in respect of the orientation of eleventh- and twelfth-century churches. The object of their research was to test whether the important churches of the early second millennium in England might have been aligned using a magnetic compass. Their data, meticulously collected, led them to conclude that only in a very small number of instances could the use of a magnetic compass have been possible and that solar observation was, in a significant number of instances, the determinant of orientation. More particularly, the rising of the sun above the horizon and possibly, though less frequently, the setting sun, provided the alignment. It was possible to show a close correlation with sunrise or sunset at patronal feast days, that is, the day on which the venerated saint was believed to have died, at Easter and on true east, determined by equinoctial sunrise.

Type
Shorter Contributions
Information
The Antiquaries Journal , Volume 82 , September 2002 , pp. 309 - 321
Copyright
Copyright © The Society of Antiquaries of London 2002

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References

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