Silbury
Image credit Littlestone
 
by Littlestone.
 
In a recent edition of the (CBA) British Archaeology magazine, Jim Leary begins his ’review’ of Michael Dames’ book, Silbury: Resolving the Enigma, with the rather dismissive statement that, “Let us first be very clear: despite the words “English Heritage” in the opening line on the back cover, this book has nothing whatsoever to do with the recent English Heritage project at Silbury Hill.”
 
I’m sure it doesn’t, and I’m sure Michael Dames would be the last to claim that it does. Leary however goes on to complain that, throughout the book, “…Dames portrays archaeologists as feckless academics, over-reliant on science and closed to the outside world.” Ehm… yes… that does sound about right with regard to much of the ’archaeological’ activity at Silbury over recent decades. Leary however rants on and then concludes (without actually having reviewed the book at all) with the somewhat condescending statement that, “This well-written but ultimately frustrating book would have benefited greatly from a little communication with archaeologists. Perhaps then it would not have been so full of factual errors.” Hmm… we look forward to reviewing your book, Jim; no doubt it will be free of any factual errors and will shown that you (and English Heritage) have fully communicated with conservators (and others) on the optimum methods and materials needed to ensure the future stability of Silbury, and have also taken on board the advice offered to you by such professionals (as well as the concerns of those in the pagan community).
 
It is not our role to promote current archaeological theories, nor the alternative theories of those outside the archaeological establishment. Perhaps, however, a little more communication from English Heritage archaeologists with other concerned bodies and individuals, and a little less self-aggrandisement of some individual archaeologists, would not go amiss. If a luminary like Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol University can write of Dames’ latest book that, “This is a colourful, readable and fascinating personal reinterpretation of a unique monument. As a set of hypotheses it is credible, and as a piece of literature it is a joy. Michael Dames knows and loves our land itself at least as well as anybody else alive.” we can surely expect the same degree of magnanimity (and diversity of perspective) from those public servants whose wages we pay.
 
Silbury: Resolving the Enigma by Michael Dames is published by The History Press Ltd. Paperback: 192 pages.
ISBN-10: 0752454501. ISBN-13: 978-0752454504.