Location: Beside the A4, 5 miles west of Marlborough. (SU 100685)
Silbury Hill is close to. Avebury and the West Kennet long barrow, and visible from both. Whether this has any significance is not known, though it seems likely that the three sites were somehow linked. Speculation as to the meaning of Silbury Hill is widespread, because the archaeologists have failed to prove their theory that it was built as a tomb for a high-ranking prehistoric chieftain. It certainly was not built on an idle whim. It has been estimated that the mound, which is 130 feet high and 100 feet across at the top, took 18 million man-hours to construct. The first phase dates from 2500 bc when a 16-foot mound was built. It was soon enlarged; then the plan was changed and a much larger mound was constructed in steps. Finally the steps were filled in to give a smooth slope.
The first excavation in 1776 consisted of a shaft dug down from the summit. In 1849 a tunnel was dug into the centre from the base of the mound, but nothing was found. Professor Richard Atkinson redug this tunnel in his 1968-70 excavations, through which much was learnt about the construction of the mound. But no one found any trace of a burial. It may still await discovery, perhaps hidden off-centre. Or Silbury may have had
According to one legend, Silhury Hill teas made by the Devil tcho uas building Wamdyke and wiped his spade, thus forming Silhury Hill. This photograph of the hill was taken from li Vs/ Kennet long harrow.
An astronomical function. If so, its construction serves to demonstrate the importance of astronomical observations to the people of that time. Other suggestions include a gigantic sundial, with a large pole erected on top of the hill - though why go to all the trouble of building such a huge mound for this pmrpose? .Michael Dames in his book The Silhury Treasure saw Silbury as a representation of the winter goddess. In folklore King Sil is buried there, on horseback and clad in gold. 'Fhere is only one fact of which we can be certain: that Silbury Hill is the largest manmade prehistoric mound in Kurope.
World History
