Dear Robert,
This subject is an interesting one. I have read little about the above on
Dartmoor, and I have not physically seen one of these 'ways' on Dartmoor -
whether to walk it or analyse it (though I have spent a bit of time looking
at them via satellite imagery). Yes, I have driven the Two Bridges road a
few times, and stopped for a walk to look briefly at a mine and it's strike
works on the opposite side of the valley (when heading East - have always
intended find out the name of this!), but that's as far as my Dartmoor
visiting experience goes! So, I speak with little direct knowledge on the above
as a specific, however I am a little familiar with 'ways' in different
parts of GB - Alston Moor, Lake District, Yorks.. Some are substantial
constructions and quite early.
It is a shame to dismiss new thinking and ideas too quickly. Granted there
have been numerous tech. papers and vols. written on the subject, but this
doesn't mean their interpretation is guaranteed to be 100% definitive. It
would help considerably of course if there were old Mss. &/or Docs.
referring to the purpose of the construction of these things or indeed mention over
the years for their upkeep and repair as a specific entity - whether for
County or Parish boundaries or otherwise. One would have thought that if
they were distinctly Boundaries, there would be clear mention of them in all
sorts of records over the years? - mind you, the same can be said if they
are 'pack ways'! All depends on who built these things... and if they might
conveniently/subsequently have been used or re-used for 'other purposes'? -
the latter is where this subject can get 'grey'!
Until such time as clear and precise mention of purpose is gleaned from old
documents, an absolute definitive answer is very difficult to reach. Mind
you, again, change of purpose/use over the centuries must also be
considered obviously... after all, if someone is walking through rough boggy
moorland, are they going to continue on that wet boggy route or favour a raised
dry bank?! - even if that dry route is greater in distance.
Just my thoughts that's all.
Regards, Bernard
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