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| Silbury
Archive 2001 |
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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 October 9, 2001 SECRETS held by Silbury Hill for four millennia may be revealed by the end of the month. Since late summer, scientists have been drilling into the Wiltshire landmark so that delicate probes can be inserted. By emitting sound waves which are filtered through state-of-the-art computer equipment, the probes produce three dimensional images. The so-called seismic survey by English Heritage was prompted by the sudden collapse of 18th century mineworks, leaving a hole at the summit of the hill. English Heritage spokesman Robin Miller said today: "We have had a successful collection of data. That data is now being analysed and we are hoping to have the report by the last week of this month." Mr Miller also issued a warning to the adventurous. "The hill is closed to the public. It is private land. It is very steep and very slippery and walking on it could cause erosion, which would damage the landmark for future generations." Once the results of the survey are known, English Heritage can begin to formulate a repair plan. Nobody can say for certain when Silbury Hill was built. Even the most expert estimates can only place its construction at some time between the 28th and 20th century BC. Nor can anyone say for certain why the hill was created, probably taking many years of patient toll with buckets and primitive tools fashioned from antler and bone. Theories have abounded, many of the most popular revolving around the idea of the hill being a treasure house or a burial mound for an ancient monarch. Tales of treasure proved an incentive down the centuries for people to dig into the hill from all directions in bids to plunder its supposed contents. The collapse that prompted the seismic survey was the legacy of one such bid, which took place more than 200 years ago. Before the survey could begin, the void was capped with chalk by specialist firm Cementation Skanska, which also stabilised the hill. Back to 2001 index |
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