Archaeologists discover Roman village at foot of Silbury Hill

The Romans did more than stop and stare in wonder at the most enigmatic prehistoric monument in Europe - they built a substantial village at the foot of Silbury Hill in Wiltshire, it is revealed today.

Although archaeologists and treasure hunters have been pottering around the hill for centuries, the discovery by English Heritage scientists - through a geophysical survey, without a sod of earth being turned - was completely unexpected. Only scattered Roman remains, including a few coins probably dropped by a traveller, have ever been found in the area.