Posted on 05/12/2007 10:43:08 AM PDT by blam
Work begins to uncover secrets of Silbury Hill
By Richard Savill
Last Updated: 2:26am BST 12/05/2007
Work began yesterday to save an ancient landmark in Wiltshire from collapsing.
Silbury Hill, which at 130 feet high is the largest prehistoric man-made construction in Europe, continues to mystify archaeologists.
English Heritage is to spend £600,000 this summer trying to preserve the mound.
Specialist engineers will enter the mound through a tunnel which was dug in 1968 by a team led by the archaeologist, Prof Richard Atkinson. That tunnel was the last of three made over two centuries by archaeologists.
The original purpose and use of the hill, which is south of the village of Avebury, is still a mystery. Theories suggest it was either a burial mound, a solar observatory or a representation of a Neolithic goddess.
"It is very unlikely we will ever know why it was built," said Robert Bewley, English Heritage regional director for the South West.
"But this project may give us a better idea of when it was built and how it was built. That could provide us with further clues as to why it was built."
On Thursday archaeologists found the small end of an antler outside the tunnel. "This shows they could only use the antlers of deer and pickaxes," Mr Bewley said. "Their tools were very simple so it was a phenomenal achievement to build a mound like that.
"We know from Prof Atkinson's investigation there were at least two phases of construction. We hope to clarify how long it took to build the mound, which may have been a generation or more."
Engineers yesterday prised open the door of the 1968 tunnel. They will repack every inch of the 40-year-old tunnel as they withdraw to make sure it is stable. A number of craters on the hill will also be refilled.
Earlier this year, archaeologists found traces of a Roman settlement at the landmark. They believe the site may have been a place of pilgrimage 2,000 years ago.
Mr Bewley said: "The hill has been a stunning part of the Wiltshire landscape for 4,400 years and we hope the work we do this summer will stabilise its structure and keep it safe for many years to come."
Ping.
Silbury Hill is the largest man-made mound in Europe. It was built over 4,000 years ago in the Neolithic period. Today part of the Avebury World Heritage Site, the monument’s purpose and significance for prehistoric people remains unknown. This summer, a conservation project to stabilise Silbury Hill is underway.
The American mounds also await competent archaeologists.
I will begin search for mounds now!
Having an English surname myself, out of the southwest near Exeter, this sort of thing has always interested me. Lore and legend of the Barrows can be quite entertaining, but Silbury is another matter. And then you have the toothills or tuthills, which are somewhat similar but more often natural than they are manmade. The Wyclyffe translation of the Bible: “Upon the toothill of the Lord I am stondeth.” The set of the British children’s show “Teletubbies” is essentially a Barrow of legend, with fairies living in it, who would be the Teletubbies themselves.
I don't like Peter Paul mounds, you can keep all you find as far as I am concerned:) Snickers uber alles!
It isn’t fair, they hadn’t discovered silicone back then.
When I am King, all citizens will be required to consume Mounds on a daily basis. Only after you consume a Mounds will you be permitted to consume Snickers. So let it be written, so let it be done.
This is one idiotic enterprise IMO, but whatever floats their boat.
Whatsa matter, suffer from Geico cave man syndrome(short club deficiency!)?
Ok, Yul, oops, king. I guess I can choke down a mounds in order to get a snickers!
She’s Canadian.
I’m watching you. Your quota of bricks may be increased.
"The physical characteristics of Cro-Magnon are very similar to modern humans, although a bit more robust, particularly in the skull. The earliest Cro-Magnon were taller than we are (often reaching over 6 foot four inches), with longer limbs, especially the lower legs..."
You got your big brain from us and we also saved your butt from the Neanderthals.
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