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Glastonbury Tor

The tor maze (or not)

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juamei J
juamei Feb 24, 2010 23:18:59
Replying to Rhiannon

There are very similar terraces on the hill next to Stantonbury (its name escapes me). In fact in the surrounding 20-30 miles in all directions (and further) there are many other hills with the same style earthworks which are all as far as I know medieval terracing.

When one looks into the history of draining the levels, starting with the Romans and moving onwards to recent times, its apparent that extra land has always been at a premium in these parts. I believe the monks in the middle ages were the main culprits...

M Mustard
Mustard Feb 25, 2010 00:01:15
Replying to juamei

juamei wrote:
There are very similar terraces on the hill next to Stantonbury (its name escapes me). In fact in the surrounding 20-30 miles in all directions (and further) there are many other hills with the same style earthworks which are all as far as I know medieval terracing.

When one looks into the history of draining the levels, starting with the Romans and moving onwards to recent times, its apparent that extra land has always been at a premium in these parts. I believe the monks in the middle ages were the main culprits...

Not really. The land on the hills of Glastonbury would have been more than sufficient to support its population. It's worth looking at a topographic map, coz it gives you an idea of just how large an area would have been above sea level... far more than just the tor. Approaching Glastonbury from the M5 and the west, you'd have hit dry land around the Moorlands factory area. The land drained for farming was transformed for profit. Monks and Romans were very big on making money.

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