It has been suggested by Ralegh Radford that it is part of a great Celtic sanctuary, probably 3rd century BC, while others, including Philip Rahtz, date it to the post-Roman period and link it to the Dark Age occupation on Glastonbury Tor.
It is possible that it was part of a longer defensive barrier associated with New Ditch, three miles to the south-west, which is built in a similar manner.
The purpose and provenance of the dyke are unclear. It has been suggested that a defensive function may have been linked with Ponter’s Ball Dyke, a linear earthwork about 1 mile (1.6 km) east of the Tor.It consists of an embankment with a ditch on the east side. Glastonbury Tor in the evening by Mimihitam – Wikimedia Commons The Glastonbury Tor has seven rings and very little space on top for the safekeeping of a community Additionally, none of the other slopes of the island has been terraced, even though the more sheltered locations would provide a greater return on the labour involved. If agriculture had been the reason for the creation of the terraces, it would be expected that the effort would be concentrated on the south side, where the sunny conditions would provide a good yield, but the terraces are equally deep on the northern side, which would provide little benefit.
They may have been formed as a result of natural differentiation of the layers of Lias stone and clay or used by farmers during the Middle Ages as terraced hills to make ploughing for crops easier.Īuthor Nicholas Mann questions this theory. Their formation remains a mystery with many possible explanations. The sides of the Glastonbury Tor have seven deep, roughly symmetrical terraces The Bridport Sands have acted as a caprock, protecting the lower layers from erosion. These rocks sit upon strata forming the broader hill on which the Tor stands the various layers of the Beacon Limestone Formation and the Dyrham Formation. The uppermost of these, forming the Tor itself, are a succession of rocks assigned to the Bridport Sand Formation. The Tor is formed from rocks dating from the early Jurassic Period, namely varied layers of Lias Group strata. Glastonbury Tor by Sarah Stierch – Wikimedia Commons Human Existence Here Has Been at Glastonbury Tor For a Very Long Time The 4th-century roofless St Michael’s Tower which still stands today was said to be part of the church that was destroyed. Glastonbury Tor is known as one of the most spiritual sites in the country because of the church that was built there long ago. It is also an important tourist attraction many people come to see every day. It has a rich historical background, especially when we talk about the mysteries and legend of King Arthur and the Isle of Avalon. Glastonbury Tor is regarded as one of the most spiritual and mysterious places in the United Kingdom Here are 10 Interesting Facts about Glastonbury Tor. The slopes of the hill are terraced, but the method by which they were formed remains unexplained. It was formed when surrounding softer deposits were eroded, leaving the hard cap of sandstone exposed. The conical hill of clay and Blue Lias rises from the Somerset Levels. The entire site is managed by the National Trust and has been designated a scheduled monument.The Tor is mentioned in Celtic mythology, particularly in myths linked to King Arthur, and has several other enduring mythological and spiritual associations. Glastonbury Tor is a hill near Glastonbury in the English county of Somerset, topped by the roofless St Michael’s Tower, a Grade I listed building.