May 15, 2007

Re-excavating Silbury Hill

The secrets of Britain’s most enigmatic prehistoric mound lie behind a locked green door at its foot. Yesterday the steel door was opened for the first time in 40 years to allow archaeologists access to the heart of Silbury Hill.

The 40m (131ft) hill, not far from the Avebury stone circle in Wiltshire, was built 4,500 years ago from 300,000 cubic yards (250,000 cubic metres) of chalk, with nothing more than hand tools and shovels made from deer antlers. No one knows why it was built, why the site was chosen or what its significance might have been.

English Heritage gave the go-ahead to a £500,000 attempt to unlock the secrets of Silbury Hill when it became clear that part of the largest man-made prehistoric monument in Europe was in danger of collapse.

From the Times of London.

Posted by David on May 15, 2007 9:31 PM

Comments

I always learned about Silbury Hill. I saw it from a distance when I was touring Wiltshire.

It was always unsatisfactory that they could give so little of an explanation for its existance.

Posted by: Circe on May 16, 2007 4:04 PM
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