Balt Moor Wall
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Balt Moor Wall is an
scheduled ancient monument in Lyng, Somerset, England, situated on the Somerset Levels to the northwest of the River Tone
. The site contains the remains of a section of medieval causeway, which now forms a raised embankment between 6 metres (20 ft) and 10 metres (33 ft) wide and up to 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) high.
The structure, which English Heritage refers to as "a rare example of medieval engineering",[1] appears to have been built to protect the Salt Moor from the flooding of the River Tone in the Athelney-Lyng gap.[2]
History
The wall is first mentioned in a charter signed by King Stephen between 1135 and 1154,[1] when monks from Athelney Abbey were reclaiming some of the land.[3]
The original construction may date from the 9th century,Geophysical surveys were carried out in 1987 and 1993 with exploratory trenches being dug in 1996.[5]
References
- ^ a b c Historic England. "Balt Moor Wall (1018952)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ISBN 978-0521106856.
- ^ "Balt Moor Wall, between East Lyng and Athelney, Lyng". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ^ "Bath Moor Wall". Pastscape. English Heritage. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ^ a b Richardson, Miranda. "An archaeological assessment of Lyng and Athelney" (PDF). English Heritage Extensive Urban Survey. Somerset County Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2016.