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Silbury Hill
51.4157° N, -1.8574° E
About
Silbury Hill is a prehistoric artificial chalk mound near Avebury in the English county of Wiltshire. It is part of the Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites UNESCO World Heritage Site. At 39.3 metres (129 ft) high, the hill is the tallest prehistoric man-made mound in Europe and one of the largest in the world; it is similar in volume to contemporary Egyptian pyramids. The site is in the care of English Heritage. Silbury Hill is part of the complex of Neolithic monuments around Avebury, which includes the Avebury Ring and West Kennet Long Barrow. Its original purpose is still debated. Several other important Neolithic monuments in Wiltshire, including the large henges at Marden and Stonehenge, may be culturally or functionally related to Avebury and Silbury.
Historical Timeline
Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history
1776 vertical shaft
October 1776
1849 horizontal tunnel
1849
1867 excavation by Wiltshire Archaeological Society
1867
Atkinson excavations and broadcast
1968–1970
2002 summit collapse and survey
May 2002
Roman village discovery
March 2007
Major stabilisation works
May 2007–early 2008
Letters describing 1776 cavity found
2010
Initial construction (broad date)
c. 2400–2300 BCE
Antler fragment radiocarbon date
c. 2490–2340 BCE
Archaeological Features
Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site
Defensive Structures
Miscellaneous Features
Water Management Features
Burial and Funerary Structures
Domestic and Habitation Structures
Environmental and Natural Features
Transportation and Communication Structures
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan Your Visit
Tours, travel arrangements, and practical information
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