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The prehistory of Avebury and environs Many dozens of books and hundreds of articles have been written about the prehistory of Avebury. More and more is discovered, while at the same time people try to understand the evidence. The prehistoric monuments, such as West Kennett long barrow (see photo above), Avebury henge and Silbury Hill (see photo on the home page), are mostly from the Neolithic (roughly 6,000 to 4,500 years ago). These monuments were not all constructed at the same time – the long barrows are early while Silbury Hill only came into existence right at the end of this era. Mesolithic tools have been found which are older; these are typically found in 'clusters' suggesting seasonal occupation sites. More recent than the Neolithic monuments and their associated finds are the Bronze Age burial mounds still visible on Windmill Hill and near the Ridegeway. These were built between 4,500 and about 2,800 years ago. Many more once existed but have since been ploughed away. Interestingly there is very little evidence of the Iron Age (2,800 to nearly 2,000 years ago) apart from the defensive hill fort above Cherhill, over four miles to the west. Presumably the inhabitants of this area at the time deliberately avoided the henge. Did they think it was 'haunted' by the souls of the dead? Articles about the prehistory of Avebury and environs Altars not burial mounds Henges – brands or performances Henges – dead or alive Simulacra photos Sound in the prehistoric landscape Avebury sunrises and sunsets See also Wikipedia entry for Avebury The Avebury Monuments Teacher's Kit Wiltshire Museum Salisbury Museum Steve Marshall's research Acoustic Silbury Avebury archaeological research agenda Between the Monuments Project FragmeNTs blog AVEBURY – BETWEEN THE MONUMENTS – EXCAVATION 2013 AVEBURY – BETWEEN THE MONUMENTS – EXCAVATION 2014 AVEBURY – BETWEEN THE MONUMENTS – EXCAVATION 2015 This website does not gather or store any visitor information. Email comments and suggestions To request email updates click here Copyright Bob Trubshaw 2015 No unauthorised copying or reproduction except if all following conditions apply: a: Copy is complete (including this copyright statement). b: No changes are made. c: No charge is made. www.indigogroup.co.uk/avebury

Articles about the prehistory of Avebury and environs Overview of prehistoric Avebury and environs Altars not burial mounds Henges – brands or performances Henges – dead or alive Simulacra photos Sound in the prehistoric landscape Avebury sunrises and sunsets Avebury and environs in the Roman period Articles about Anglo-Saxons in and around Avebury What was a bury? St Afa East Kennett: the church on the boundary Upstream-downstream Wiltshire battles Understanding the Wansdykes Articles about Medieval life in and around Avebury Overview of medieval Avebury and environs St James' – from minster to mother church St James dedications in Wiltshire Skew passages The alien priors Medieval graffiti The 'barber-surgeon' Articles about aspects of Avebury's twentieth century history Overview of twentieth century Avebury Avebury ghosts Keiller's occult connections Halloween 1938 Mary's annunciation photo gallery