moss wrote:
Week 8 update has arrived with a rather interesting alluvial layer on the original neolithic surface....
This here alluvial surface, made up of alluvium:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alluvium
"Alluvium (from the Latin, alluvius, from alluere, "to wash against") is soil or sediments deposited by a river or other running water. Alluvium is typically made up of a variety of materials, including fine particles of silt and clay and larger particles of sand and gravel."
Is on a hill:
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/upload/pdf/Silbury_Hill_web_update_08_20070709134949.pdf
"The original Neolithic ground surface has become a subject of heightened
interest amongst the experts within the last few days. The clearly visible
thin seam of blue/grey clay has now been sampled and taken away for
further study. At first inspection this seam appears to be alluvial in nature
although this is unlikely to be the case due to its location within the
landscape on a hill. Another theory is that this material may be imported; however extensive research on the sample by our geoarchaeologist is needed to provide a conclusive answer."
...yet Canti, Campbell, Robinson & Robinson, in their report entitled "Site Formation, Preservation and Remedial Measures at Silbury Hill"
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/upload/pdf/Silbury_Hill_CFAreport.pdf
clearly highlight the presence of alluvium along the course of the Winterbourne / Kennet (Para 2 & 3, Page 3 and Figure 2, Page 3). So where exactly is this "Neolithic Ground Surface" ? Figure 11, Page 17 of the same report shows it as "Old Land Surface" (small text RH side of Figure). Is it further up the Hill, or is it on a level with the surrounding moat? If the latter, why is it so bloody interesting?
Frustrated (on so many levels: not just Old Land ones)
Peace
Pilgrim
X
