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Silbury
Hill |
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Silbury
Hill is the largest artificial prehistoric mound in Europe
and stands 40 metres (130 feet) high and forms part of the
Neolithic landscape around Avebury.
It
has a base circumference of over 500m (1640 feet) and is made
up of nearly 340000 cubic metres (12 million cubic feet).
The mound was first built in 2660 BC and was constructed in
several stages, the last one comprising six concentric steps
covered with chalk rubble and soil. The top of the mound is
flat.
In recent times, the top of the hill has collapsed and work
by English Heritage is in progress to secure the monument.
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Thoughts
and Theories |
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 Nobody
knows for sure why Silbury was constructed, although there
are plenty of theories and ideas.
Folklore has it that the mound was placed there by the Devil
who was intent on dropping a pile of earth on the good people
of Marlborough (or Devizes, depending on who you talk to)
but was persuaded to lose his load as a result of some Avebury-style
hocus-pocus! Others believe the Devil chose to hide a gold
statue inside the mound whilst on his way to Devizes.
Earth
worshippers believe that Silbury is, in fact, the swollen
womb of the Earth Goddess and provides a symbol linking
the harvest with the pregnant earth.
Others
suggest that the hill was built as a burial mound for King
Sil and his horse, while some believe it to be a giant
astronomical 'sun' dial.
Silbury lies on a significant leyline that runs through
the church at Avebury, through Silbury and onto towards Stonehenge.
 The
Romans, who laid down the road that now makes up the A4, were
following the ancient prehistoric trackways that led towards
Silbury, which some believe were constructed on identifiable
ley lines.
It has been suggested that similar mounds exist in China,
where routes were constructed on similar lines of earth energy.
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Multimedia |
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VIDEO: Click here
to see how Silbury Hill became known as "The Hill With
The Hole", with archive footage. (Courtesy
of BBC Points West)
Streaming
video/audio requires Real Player.
BBC download guide and see Free
Real player
GALLERY:
Click
here for The Moonraking Gallery.
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Add Your
View |
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Jamie Baynham
I went to Silbury Hill, Avebury and the Long Barrow down the road; a few years ago. The walk from Avebury to the Long Barrow is so beautiful. I walked the stone circles, people stayed out all night with sleeping bags or blankets, enjoying the evening, talking and drumming the night away. The morning looking across to Silbury Hill as the sun rises takes the breath away. Enjoy it whenever you can get there but try and get there early or stay at a local campsite.
Amber
In response to Liz Horton's comment, West Kennett Longbarrow, which is relatively close to Silbury Hill has engravings, some of which are thought to be of the female reporoductive system...
Liz Horton
I have visited Silbury Hill only twice. My first visit occurred when six months pregnant. Immediately on viewing the mound I found myself intensely attracted to it and felt I needed to lay my unclothed swollen body on its turf. The intensity of my attraction was amazing and totally unexpected and I have never experienced anything like that before or since. The second time I visited was last Monday. I am not pregnant and felt absolutely no sense of attraction to the mound
or any complusion to lay on it. I wondered if other pregnant women have experienced similiar feelings when viewing. Maybe a study needs to be conducted to see if pregnant women 'feel' anything as I believe that Silbury Hill is some form of symbol for a pregnant woman and the energies from within to be a positive force during a pregnancy. (I went onto have a completely heathly beautiful child)
TOM HILL
CONSTRUCTED TO WORSHIP THE SUN OR THE MOON TO BE CLOSER TO THE CELESTIAL BODIES RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES
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How
to find it |
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Silbury
lies on the A4 between Beckhampton and Marlborough, a mile
south of Avebury.
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Ordnance
Survey: SU100675
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Click
here
to see Multimap location
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