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| Silbury
Archive 2002 |
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 Silbury Hill news, views and archive brought to you by Weird Wiltshire Introduction Latest News News Archive Excavations The Hole Beaker People What is it for? What Next? Postcards Forum Wallpaper Links 
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First published on December 4, 2002 More research needed on hill. MORE investigations are needed before a final decision can be made on measures to ensure the long-term future of Silbury Hill, near Avebury. More than two years ago a hole appeared at the summit of the hill, which is believed to be between 4,500 and 4,700 years old and the largest prehistoric man-made mound in Western Europe. It happened when a 225-year old vertical mine shaft opened up leaving a 12 metre deep hole. English Heritage ordered a seismic survey of the hill, which revealed that despite the appearance of the hole the structure of the hill was stable. And English Heritage spokeswoman Catherine Eady said yesterday this was still the case, although a number of issues had to be sorted out before permanent repairs could be agreed on. She said: "We are advised by our experts that the seismic survey indicates that the hill is a robust structure which appears to be stable. "Further investigations carried out by English Heritage's Centre for Archaeology, to an area on the northern flank where the ground appeared to be looser, have revealed nothing of significance to cause concern. "The work to the head of the collapsed 18th century shaft has also successfully stabilised and protected the top of the hill." She added: "There are, however, a number of complex issues that need to be carefully assessed before we can decide on permanent repairs. "We are currently working on proposals to ensure that we arrive at long-term solutions but these cannot be undertaken in haste. "As part of this assessment we intend to test the consistency of the backfilling in the lower part of the shaft by drilling a borehole through it from the top. "Another borehole will be drilled nearby as a control and we are currently considering a tender for the work." Silbury Hill dates from the late Neolithic period with radiocarbon dating indicating that it was built in several phases. It has been calculated that it took three million hours to build. No-one has yet been able to discover why it was built, but experts believe the hill forms part of the complex of ritual, funerary and ceremonial monuments that dot the nearby village of Avebury. Around 1776 the Duke of Northumberland used miners to sink a vertical shaft down through the middle but found nothing of interest. It is this shaft that partially collapsed. Back to 2002 index |
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