Overton Down

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File:Standing stone and gallop, Overton Down - geograph.org.uk - 412185.jpg

Overton Down Experimental Earthwork (often referred to simply as Overton Down) is a long-term project in experimental archaeology in Wiltshire, England. In 1960 an earthwork was built to simulate such ancient structures.Jewell, P. A. (ed.) 1963, The Experimental Earthwork on Overton Down, Wiltshire, 1960 (British Association for the Advancement of Science). Various objects were placed in it. Since then, periodic examinations of the site have been made, providing valuable insights into taphonomy. The experiment is designed to continue for 128 years.{{cite web|url=http://de.scribd.com/doc/23911762/a-Dictionary-of-Archaeology |title=a Dictionary of Archaeology |publisher=De.scribd.com |date= |accessdate=2012-11-15}}Jewell, P. A. and G. W. Dimbleby, 1966, "The Experimental Earthwork on Overton Down, Wiltshire, England," Papers of the Prehistoric Society 32:313-342

Reports on various aspects of the site have already added significantly to the knowledge of archaeological site formation.Fowler, P. J. and S. W. Hillson, 1996 The Experimental Earthwork Project 1960-1992 Early in the project's history, the complexity of stratification of degraded ditch walls and their asymmetrical character was noted and examined.{{cite web|author=Crabtree, K.|date=1971|title=Overton Down Experimental Earthwork, Wiltshire 19668," Proceedings, University of Bristol Spaelogocial Society 12 (3): 237-244|url=http://www.ubss.org.uk/resources/proceedings/vol12/UBSS_Proc_12_3_237-244.pdf|accessdate=2012-11-15}} The excavation after thirty-two years provided information on decay rates and patterns of deposited objects, which are of use to forensic scientists.{{cite web |url=http://www.archaeologyuk.org/ba/ba17/BA17FEAT.HTML |title=British Archaeology, no 17, September 1996: Features |publisher=Archaeologyuk.org |accessdate=2012-11-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204181823/http://www.archaeologyuk.org/ba/ba17/BA17FEAT.HTML |archivedate=2015-02-04 }} Nonintrusive examination of the ditch has indicated that in this particular environment (exposed chalky hill), after about ten years the general appearance no longer makes rapid changes in appearance and can be considered relatively stable.