Silver Barrow

Silver Barrow is a Bronze Age burial mound located in the county of Wiltshire, England. This ancient heritage site is situated near the village of All Cannings, approximately 5 miles east of Devizes. The mound, which dates back to around 2000 BCE, is part of a larger prehistoric ceremonial landscape known as the Avebury World Heritage Site.

The Silver Barrow mound is a round barrow, with a diameter of around 30 meters and a height of approximately 2 meters. It was constructed using layers of soil and chalk, with a stone cairn at its center. The barrow is surrounded by a shallow ditch, believed to have held symbolic and ritualistic significance.

Excavations at Silver Barrow in the 19th and early 20th centuries revealed the presence of a burial chamber within the mound. The chamber contained human remains, as well as grave goods such as pottery, flint tools, and animal bones. These findings suggest that the barrow was used for the burial of individuals of high status within the Bronze Age community.

The significance of Silver Barrow lies not only in its archaeological value but also in its connection to the wider Avebury landscape. The Avebury World Heritage Site encompasses several other prehistoric monuments, including the famous Avebury stone circle, West Kennet Long Barrow, and Silbury Hill. Together, these sites provide insights into the lives, beliefs, and rituals of the people who inhabited this area thousands of years ago.

Today, Silver Barrow is a protected heritage site, managed by English Heritage. Visitors can explore the mound and its surrounding landscape, marveling at the ancient engineering and imagining the rituals and ceremonies that took place in this Bronze Age burial ground.