Pondering on the terraces on Greek hillsides

Terraces near Katapola, Amorgos

I've been looking at terraces in the Greek landscape, and wondering when they were built, and the lives of the people who built them.  Today the terraces are in the main not used for cultivation.  Any cultivation there is is ion the valleys, where cultivation is easier on the flatter land and there is no need for terracing. 

Today there are daily, or almost daily, ferries that bring in all manner of produce.  There is no need for the islanders (or mainlanders) to be as self-sufficient as they were in the past.  I am trying to imagine island life when all necessities were locally produced.  And the only way to reach distant terraces was on foot or by donkey.