What *IS* happening to Silbury Hill?
Submitted by Andy B on Wednesday, 09 May 2001 Page Views: 9180
Neolithic and Bronze AgeSince last June a large void has opened in the top of Silbury Hill, Avebury, Wiltshire. The fact that this hole has grown from around 2 meters in diameter to nearly 10 meters has raised concerns of local people, and Pagan organisations for whom Silbury is a key sacred site. In frustration, some campaigners have proposed a demonstration at the site on Saturday May 19th.The principle problem has been a lack of information passing to the public, both about what is being done to remedy the situation, and the problems faced by English Heritage in attempting to prevent the potential collapse of this internationally important site which is part of the Stonehenge/Avebury World Heritage Site.
We are attempting to assist in this situation by publicising what we have learned from conversations with English Heritage.
The root of the problem seems to lie in series of shafts and trenches that have been dug into the monument since the 18th century. Recent wet weather has accelerated the collapse of at least one shaft. But the problems in remedying this situation are considerable.
An attempt to cover the top of the monument to keep rain off the eroded area has proved to be ineffective, and indeed by covering one part of the monument, concentrated run off of water onto the fragile structure (which is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest) may have exacerbated the situation. Moreover, the weight of any capping may actually cause/have caused further damage.
In order the consolidate the site, English Heritage faces the problem of knowing the extent of the voids within the hill, which potentially, we understand, may resemble a Swiss cheese! To this end the relatively novel technique of seismic survey is being adopted in the hope that a three dimensional model of the inside of the Hill can be generated. However, the effectiveness of the technique and just what is likely to be found remain unclear. We understand that the tendering process for this survey will be completed at the end of May and that the one month programme of work is likely to take place in June/July, with results becoming available in August.
In the mean time, parallel work is beginning on the engineering solution to the situation, but again this is fraught with problems. No project of this kind has been undertaken before and whilst the simple filling of a single shaft would be relatively straightforward, a more complex series of voids within the hill would create a difficult problem both archaeologically and in terms of engineering. We understand that a number of techniques are being considered, but engineering considerations must be weighed against both potential damage to archaeology and the need to make any works reversible in the light of future potential for long term care and or research on the monument.
We understand that a rescue excavation on the top of the shaft is also to take place within the next week or so.
It is hoped that English Heritage will carry out repair works in the autumn, once the nature of the situation is clear. It appears essential that such works are carried out before next winter when further bad weather could seriously exacerbate the situation. However these works may end up being of a remedial nature since the long-term protection of the monument may require years of research - there is, after all, only one Silbury Hill!
In the meantime, the situation is being exacerbated by some individuals who, despite fences and the exhortation of Pagan organisations, are entering the damaged area and climbing into the top of the shaft. Not only does this cause further damage to the site but also is a potential risk to the lives of those involved. Unfortunately, the size of the monument makes it extremely difficult to keep determined individuals out and we, along with other bodies and individuals, would exhort everyone to stay away from the Hill until repairs can be carried out.
If there is any criticism we would level it is that the reaction of the Department of Culture Media and Sport, and its bureaucracy, has been typically too slow. Much of what is being done now to remedy the situation should have happened or at least begun last summer when the problem first came to light. This would seem to be a familiar problem in the current climate where one can think of many examples of failure to act rapidly enough to maintain the infrastructure of Great Britain (of which its cultural heritage is an integral part). Moreover, there seems to been a dearth of information and a reluctance to keep the public fully informed as to what is happening and what steps are being taken to remedy this situation. That a degree of openness now seems to be emerging is to be welcomed.
We very much hope that the commitment expressed to us by representatives of English Heritage both to act with a greater sense of urgency and to keep people informed will prove to be the case.
Dr Paul Graves-Brown MIFA
SMC Archaeological Consultancy
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