A process for melting silicon, in which silicon bodies (4; 14; 24) are detached from a silicon starting material (2) - (40) -, the silicon bodies (4; 14; 24) being dimensioned - (40) - in such a way that they can be arranged in a heatable crucible (6), the silicone bodies (4; 14; 24) are arranged in the crucible (6) and the crucible (6) is heated - (46) -, at least some of the cavities (10) that occur between the crucible walls (7) and the silicon bodies (4; 14; 24) or between monolithic parts of the silicon bodies (4; 14; 24) when the silicon bodies (4; 14; 24) are arranged in the crucible (6) - (42) - being at least partially filled with silicon granules (8; 18, 20; 28) - (44) -, and an arrangement for melting silicon.