Modelling and reconstruction of the River Kennet palaeohydrology and hydrogeology: Silbury Hill and Avebury in 4,400 BP

Around 4,400 years ago, the River Kennet region experienced significantly wetter conditions with higher river flows and groundwater levels compared to today. These findings, derived from hydrogeological modeling using Global Circulation Model (GCM) outputs, suggest that ancient populations in the Avebury and Silbury Hill area had access to more stable water sources during drier summer months. The research reconstructs past hydrological conditions to understand how these environmental factors may have influenced the construction of man-made structures like Silbury Hill, which was built over a prolonged period. By integrating GCM data with hydrogeological techniques, the study provides insights into the palaeohydrology of the upper Kennet, offering a clearer picture of past climatic and water resource dynamics in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Whitehead, P. G., & Edmunds, W. M. (2012). Modelling and reconstruction of the River Kennet palaeohydrology and hydrogeology: Silbury Hill and Avebury in 4,400 BP. Hydrology Research, 43(5), 551–559. https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.2012.137