Silbury Hill

Silbury Hill is 37 m high, 167 m in diameter and the age of about 4600-4700 years, the largest prehistoric artificial mound in Europe and one of the largest in the world. It is located near Avebury ( Wiltshire ) in southern England. Its volume is approximately 248,000 cubic meters. UNESCO declared the Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites, including Silbury Hill heard in 1986 a World Heritage Site.

Excavations

Although there are at least six known attempts to reveal the purpose of the building, this is still not finally resolved. The tunnel excavation by Richard Atkinson 1968-1970 clarified the structure of the round hill. Silbury Hill was created in three phases. The bottom layer is made of peat which has been piled up in a flat trough. This was covered with layers of earth, gravel and chalk. Since winged ants were found in peat, it is presumed that the work in late July or August have taken place - the ants swarm this time of year.

The first hill had a diameter of 36 meters and was practically doubled immediately after completion of its size. The chalk it was promoted from a six-meter deep pit. This layer was covered with a visible today hills. This third layer was the most extensive construction stage and required a sophisticated planning and about six million man-hours of construction. They enlarged the diameter of the hill at about 167 meters.

It was built of chalk, which was promoted from one to nine meters deep pit in several terraces, each of which was completed by walls of chalk. The spaces behind the walls were filled with even more chalk. The edges of the terraces is filled with chalk in order to smooth out the hills. Only the top terrace was left. Findings are sparse and consist of a few antler hoes. On plant remains mosses found Taubenskabiose ( Scabiosa columbaria ) and Salad Burnet ( Sanguisorba minor).

In addition to the complex organization of the project (planning, transport) the workers had to be motivated and nurtured, which presupposes a considerable social complexity and high years of overproduction of food.

In June 2007, a major construction program for the protection of the monument were carried out. Further stabilization measures are planned, as the hill was destabilized by the earlier studies. In particular, Atkinson was filled tunnel. The work was completed in April 2008.

Interpretation

Although this work is reminiscent of a hill grave, no human remains were found in the hills. Therefore, it is believed that it has never served as a burial ground.

Later used

The hill was used by the Romans as a landmark and the Saxons in the 11th century as a site for a fort.

Visitor information

In the Alexander Keiller Museum in Avebury finds from this excavation area presented to the public.