SILBURY HILL ENVIRONS, AVEBURY, WILTSHIRE. Report on Geophysical Survey, February 2005

Author(s): Paul Linford, Neil Linford, Louise Martin, Andy Payne

A geophysical survey was carried out immediately east of Silbury Hill in an attempt to identify any significant archaeological activity in this area and assist the wider interpretation of the monument within a landscape context, in advance of ongoing conservation works to stabilise the mound. An extensive caesium magnetometer survey was conducted and successfully recorded a wide range of anomalies. Many of these anomalies appear to result from the variable geology of the river valley location on the floodplain of the Winterbourne stream (or river Kennet). However, immediately east of Silbury Hill a series of linear magnetic anomalies indicate the presence of a complex of ditched enclosures and associated occupation activity. More weakly defined anomalies suggest the presence of further enclosures extending under deposits of alluvium running up to the present course of the Winterbourne stream. These results suggest that the Romano-British activity previously recorded beyond the survey area, directly east of the Winterbourne, may extend up to the external quarry ditch around Silbury Hill. A more limited earth resistance survey provides additional evidence for possible structural features within the enclosures identified by the magnetic survey.

Report Number:
19/2006
Series:
Research Department Reports
Pages:
21
Keywords:
Caesium Vapour Earth Resistance Fluxgate Geophysical Survey Gradiometer Magnetometer

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