Investigation of a “Sun Roll” Effect in Relation to Silbury Hill

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

A “sun roll” occurs when the angle of the rising or setting sun exactly matches that of a hill; to an observer the sun appears to “roll” up or down the side of the hill. Sun rolls may not be as rare as previously thought; a new methodology for predicting them is tested in practice, using Silbury Hill near Avebury and the area of the West Kennet palisades as a viewing location. Two potential back-sights are investigated that suggest a sun roll down Silbury Hill could have been observed and its viewing positions marked in prehistory. One position incorporates “Silbaby”, an as yet unexamined mound close to Silbury Hill that has a natural spring at its base. From a possible marked position within the palisades (a prehistoric timber construction within the Avebury Complex), the setting sun around May Day will roll down Silbury Hill and into the spring.