ARCHAEOLOGISTS will begin examining samples from the core of Forbury Hill to discover why the landmark was created.

The mysterious hillock has baffled academics for decades.

Some argue it was built to help fortify the abbey in the twelfth century whilst others argue it is a rare Saxon burial mound.

Now University of Reading archaeologist Dr Jim Leary is launching a new project analysing core samples taken from the hill on Thursday, June 8.

"Forbury Hill is a striking feature of these public gardens in the heart of Reading," he said.

"Thousands of people will have trodden the paths without realising they may be walking on history.

"This is the final mound we are investigating in our Round Mounds project.

2We hope to conclude our work by filling a gap in Reading’s history by providing a long-awaited answer to the question of when this landmark was created, and by whom."

The Round Mounds project is funded by the Leverhulme Trust.

It uses a novel technique to drill into and date mottes by analysing organic matter like charred seeds and pollen.

Researchers use this data to predict when the mound was built while causing minimal harm to precious archaeological sites.