Hmm. I don't think I've ever really considered the question. They seem to only exist at the Downs, having been sent there by the Witch King. I think this could be significant. In
Master of Middle Earth, the author, Paul Kocher, says
Quote:
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The wights must be the ghosts of the evil attackers from Carn Dûm.
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He goes on to compare them to the Dead Men of Dunharrow. It partly makes sense because the men of Carn Dûm
were followers of the Witch King who attacked the Dúnedain of Cardolan. The wights however, seem to be much more powerful than the Dead of Dunharrow. Maybe the spirits of the evil men were somehow enhanced by the Witch King?