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Here's another view. Beatrice Hopkinson [log in to unmask] >Perhaps the reason for octagonal buildings is that there is no dark corner >for the devil to hide in. > >Best wishes > >Bruce Osborne >============================================================ >From : Dr Bruce Osborne Email: [log in to unmask] >SPAS RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP www.thespas.co.uk + www.BritishNationalParks.com >FRIENDS OF MALVERN SPRINGS AND WELLS at www.malvernspa.com >Tower House, Tower Road, Tadworth, Surrey. UK. KT20 5QY. >Tel. +44 (0) 1737 213169 SKYPE:Spagazer >This message and attachments are confidential, copyright or otherwise >protected >============================================================ > ----- Original Message ----- > From: stephen buckley > To: [log in to unmask] > Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 9:36 AM > Subject: Re: Fish in wells and cisterns > > > They'd be particularly handy, wouldn't they, in a monastic context, for >the days when the religious could only eat fish? > > On the subject of religious contexts: the latest Current Archaeology >(237) has a piece on an octagonal plunge bath at Bax Farm, Kent, from the >late Roman period, which might have served as a baptistery. It was in a >building with painted plaster. On a visit to Chedworth this summer, I >realized that the pool that collected the water supply there is octagonal. >I've read explanations of why fonts and baptismal pools are octagonal, but >haven't come across any reason why pre-Christian spring housings might be >the same shape - might, I suppose, be practical, though why not make them >square? Any ideas or mythology? > > In CA 237, there's also a major piece on the bluestone henge that seems >to have stood by the River Avon at the end of an avenue from Stonehenge. A >short avenue also links the settlement at Durrington Walls with the river, >and the discovery seems to support the idea that there was a ritual way >from Durrington Walls to Stonehenge via the river. The traces of stone at >the newly discovered henge appear to match the Stonehenge bluestone. > > Christine B > > > > > > > > ======================================== > Message Received: Nov 20 2009, 08:24 AM > From: "James Rattue" > To: [log in to unmask] > Cc: > Subject: Re: Fish in wells and cisterns > > > When I visited the wonderful wells at San Gimignano they were full of >fish. > > > > > = Beatrice Hopkinson, Hon. Secretary Los Angeles Branch, Oxford University Society Board Member, Archaeological Institute of America President, Droitwich Brine Springs and Archaeological Trust Affilliate, Cotsen institute of Archaeology, UCLA ([log in to unmask]) 818 766 7780