The Graveyard and the Amphitheatre

[Goddlefrood]

No: HPFGUIDX 166930

> > Goddlefrood earlier:

<snip> Mine and Carols, but reincorporating earlier material 
now, for clarity ;)

> > I posted a small piece on Dittany that got lost during the
storm of book cover posts, it (my post) suggests that at some
point Harry's scar will be healed using that plant. It is
entitled Hats Off to JKR the Word Wizard and is uplist quite
recently). If I am correct, then that post may explain the
difference between the UK and the US covers recently revealed,
in that Harry's cicatrix is not discernable on the US cover.

> > My analysis of that is that the scene is of Harry and 
Voldemort behind the ruins of the Potter family home, but in 
front of a graveyard. The curved structure in the background 
that encloses the scene may be supposed to represent an 
aqueduct, but it is unlike any aqueduct of which I have 
cognizance (they tend to be straight and slightly tilted to 
take advantage of the force of gravity;)).

<snip>

> Carol responds:

> Godric's Hollow is a partially or mostly Muggle village 
(Hogsmeade is the only all-wizard village in Britain). 
Consequently, IMO, any graveyard in Godric's Hollow (which 
I've always imagined to be in Wales) would resemble that in 
Little Hangleton, which we encountered in GoF.

> In any case, I see no reason to imagine a Roman ruin in 
Godric's Hollow, much less a Roman graveyard. Nor, IIRC, did 
the Romans bury their dead in anything resembling this circular 
structures with its many archways. They used underground 
catacombs, to my knowledge. (I wouldn't be surprised to find 
something of that sort at Hogwarts, but not at Godric's 
Hollow.)

Goddlefrood now:

As you see my previous material I insert above is more in 
context now. My point was that the theory I am expounding is 
somewhat supported by what appears to be the ruins of Potter 
House in the foreground. The analysis of the background was 
consequential, but I appreciate there may be some ambiguity.

I made no suggestion as to what the structure may be, however 
the similarity to the Coloseum is interestingly noted. Unlikely 
to be such an edifice, however. Here is why:

Donning his Roman Centurion outfit, I have noted previously that
in a former life I was one ;)

The Romand prior to the acceptance of Christianity as the state 
religion by Constantine the Great did indeed use catacombs. 
Graves became more prevalent thereafter. It seems highly 
improbable to me that Roman architecture or burial practice 
will have any relevance. 

In the books the oldest suggested timeframe is approximately 
1000 years ago, the founding of Hogwarts. 

My suggestion relative to the Graveyard I divine from the cover
of the American edition is that it may be the one that JKR
referred to in passing in a snippet from Alfonso Cuaron as being 
at Hogwarts itself. Here is that:

"I said 'Let's put a graveyard there'. 

She says: 'No, you can't have a graveyard there'. And I'm like, 
'Why?' She says: 'Oh because the graveyard is near this other 
wing of the castle and it's going to play an important part in 
number six because such and such and such.' 

So then you say 'What about a sundial?' She says: 'That makes
perfect sense because when the castle was built it was on an 
ancient Celtic site.' Bap bap bap!"

>From Alfonso Cuaron: the man behind the magic, 28th May 2004.

A link to the full version:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/tv_film/newsid_3758000/3758101.stm

This is then quite useful proof that there is indeed a graveyard
at Hogwarts. Do I hear you say "but that's hearsay", to which I
would reply, "Perhaps, but it is a declaration against interest,
and therefore excluded as hearsay ;)" (Precedents available on
request, but I'd hardly advise that ;))

> Carol again:

Still about half-convinced that the final confrontation will 
take place in the DoM but unable to fully reconcile that idea 
with GrandPre's cover art.

Goddlefrood:

Glad I've got some thinking in different ways, although, as 
always with the Caveat that I could be wrong ;). The analysis 
by Carol of the amphitheatre is to be commended :)

Goddlefrood who reminds you in signing out that the Romans left
Britain in the 400s AD and left the place to develop in a very
different way thereafter. My other gift to you is that my home
twon is Knutsford, through which the River Lily flows ;)