 | | Silbury Hill | |
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. | | Thoughts and Theories | |
 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.
| | Multimedia | |
 VIDEO: Click here to see how Silbury Hill became known as "The Hill With The Hole", with archive footage. (Courtesy of BBC Points West)
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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
| | How to find it | |
Silbury lies on the A4 between Beckhampton and Marlborough, a mile south of Avebury. Ordnance Survey: SU100675
Click here to see Multimap location
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