Site of Early Medieval Occupation, Glastonbury Tor

Record ID:  118068*3 / MNA140013
Record type:  Monument
Protected Status: Scheduled Monument
NT Property:  Glastonbury Tor; South West
Civil Parish:  Glastonbury; Mendip; Somerset
Grid Reference:  ST 511 385
Choose which type of base map appears on the map Choose map:
Choose which type of labels appear on the map features Choose labels:

Summary

The monument on Glastonbury Tor includes part of the below ground remains of a post-Roman occupation site dating from the sixth to the seventh centuries AD, part of a monastic settlement probably dating from at least the tenth century, and part of the above and below ground remains of what has been interpreted as a medieval pilgrimage centre for the cult of St Michael.

Identification Images (0)

Most Recent Monitoring

None Recorded

Monument Types

  • SETTLEMENT (Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)

Description

Dark Age occupation, including timber buildings, evidence of metal-working, substantial meat eating, ? graves, imported Mediterranean pottery, local grass-tempered pottery, Roman file, Roman Samian, metal objects, bone objects, bones. Revealed by excavations 1964-1966.

Several interpretations of this period of occupation have been suggested:
1. Pagan Religious site or shrine.
2. Small Celtic Christian monastic site.
3. Defensive or quasi-military site, either a look-out post or signal station, or perhaps a small local chieftain's stronghold.

References

  • --- SZN10288 - Article in serial: P A Rahtz. 1971. Excavation on Glastonbury Tor, Somerset, 1964-6. 127.

Designations

Other Statuses and References

  • HER/SMR Reference (External): 23603
  • National Monuments Record Reference: ST53NW4

Associated Events

  • ENA3273 - Archaeological Intervention,
  • ENA3399 - Heritage Assessment,

Associated Finds

None Recorded

Related Records