DARTMOOR
There is evidence that even in this early period fire was used to encourage the growth of good grazing at the expense of woody plants. As you can see, this continues to this day: burning or ‘swayling’ on Holne Moor in 2010.
Dartmoor is a protected national park, managed by the Dartmoor National Park Authority. It is a granite upland area dating from the Carboniferous period rising to 2,037 feet above sea level at High Willhays.
About 1,000 BC the climate became notably colder, large parts of the moor ceased to support farming and the population plummeted. In mediaeval times the weather improved and people returned to the moors. Again it was granite that was used to build but instead of the round hut the longhouse was developed. Some ancient longhouses are homes to this day. These early farms are known as ‘Ancient Tenements’ and some date back to the 14th century. The field system seen above probably dates from this period,
During the Neolithic and bronze ages the climate here was warmer and the moor, which was largely covered by trees, supported a healthy farming population as is evidenced by the numerous remains of buildings (such as the hut circle left), enclosures (above and to the right of the stone cross), monuments and flint tools to be found over all parts of the moor. It has been said that there are more bronze age remains here than in any other part of Britain. Some of these remains have been ‘restored’ - mainly but not solely in Victorians times - but it has to be said that some of these restorations owe more to modern creativity than to authenticity.
Not all those making a living on the moor did so from farming. Some excavated for tin. The picture on the left shows evidence of tinners at work. Mining here stopped before the development of steam powered pumps which enabled deep mine working so the impressive old engine houses are found only in Cornwall. Granite has been quarried for centuries although most of the stone walls were built using rock lying on the surface which had to be cleared to create the old fields. However, there are many old small quarries such as the one shown above right (many now used a car parks) as well as larger operations such as the quarry at Merrivale.
There is much more that could be added to this page and so it is very much ‘work in progress’. Meanwhile, I leave you with this shot which is how Marcia loves the moor to look - slightly hazy and mysterious.
