”The longest gate he had identified was more than 1,600 feet long, though most were between 160 and 500 feet long. Sometimes the posts were as thick as 30 feet”
1,600 feet is a _big_ pen, and 30 feet thick seems overkill for a holding pen.
1,600 feet is a _big_ pen, and 30 feet thick seems overkill for a holding pen.
Imagine driving a panicking large herd of animals into these pens - where would you see a need for reinforcing the structure to withstand the force of a whole herd pressing against it?
30 feet is roughly 9 meters.
(I understand the "just google it" response, but just giving the numbers saves a few moments of work for many people.)