Previously, the Tor would have been an island as the Levels used to be wetlands and were regularly flooded by sea-water, often being submerged for decades or centuries. The reclamation that took place and turned them into the inhabitable farmland that they are now left Glastonbury Tor stood as a hill rising steeply out of the surrounding plain, rather than the island that it had been. This change has given it a dramatic appearance, as it is the one landmark for miles on the otherwise flat ground.
The Tor has shown evidence of settlement going right back to Neolithic times. Flint tools of the sort used by humans for thousands of years have been found there, along with signs of Dark Age settlement, such as postholes. Other remains of this period are seen in a hearth and a metal worker's forge that have been discovered, as well as burial plots.
What appears to be a 5th century fort was also discovered on the Tor, or the remains of it at least, but it appears that this had its spot stolen by a church that survived until 1275. Then an earthquake hit Britain and destroyed many buildings around it, including the church. Another one was built later, but it got torn down too.
There is a belief that the Tor is the island Avalon from the King Arthur mythology, partly based on the island apparently being called Ynys yr Afalon (The Isle of Avalon) by the native Britons
The Tor also has rings of terraces around it, thought to either have been crafted for agricultural purposes, as they would make planting, taking care of and harvesting crops easier, or as defensive ramparts.
Whatever the Tor has done in the past, it is still a popular and dramatic landmark, and draws many visitors every year. When in the Somerset Levels it is hard to miss.
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Sangers
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