Ackling Dyke facts for kids
Ackling Dyke is a famous section of an old Roman road in England. It stretches for about 22 miles (35 kilometers) from Old Sarum to Badbury Rings. Old Sarum was once a large settlement, and Badbury Rings was a strong hill fort, a settlement built on a hill for defense.
A part of this ancient road, near Oakley Down, is now protected as an ancient monument. This means it is a very important historical site that must be preserved.
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Why Was Ackling Dyke So Big?
Much of Ackling Dyke is built on a very large, raised bank of earth. This bank is called an "agger" (say: AG-ger). It can be up to 50 feet (15 meters) wide and 6 feet (1.8 meters) high. This is much wider than most Roman roads.
This huge road would have been easy to see from far away. It was probably built this way to impress the local people. It also helped Roman soldiers travel quickly across Cranborne Chase.
Cutting Through History
The Romans often built their roads in straight lines. Ackling Dyke is a good example of this. In some places, the road cuts straight through much older sites. These include prehistoric earthworks and barrows (ancient burial mounds).
This shows how the Romans viewed the existing British way of life. It also helped early historians understand that these barrows were built before the Roman period. For example, at Bokerley Junction, the road cuts through both Bokerley Dyke and Grim's Ditch. Further west, at Wyke Down, it cuts through the Dorset Cursus, which is a very long, ancient earthwork.
Along the route of Ackling Dyke, archaeologists have found places where Roman watchtowers might have stood. These towers would have helped keep an eye on the road and the surrounding area.
Where Does the Road Go?
After leaving the area around Salisbury, the road crosses open countryside. It does not pass close to any towns or villages.
Today, only about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) of the main Salisbury–Blandford road follows the exact path of Ackling Dyke. However, you can still follow much of the original Roman road using smaller lanes and tracks.
At Old Sarum, Ackling Dyke connected to another important Roman road called the Port Way. This road led to Silchester and London. From Badbury Rings, other roads led to the harbor at Hamworthy and to Dorchester.
Protecting the Road
Parts of Ackling Dyke are currently on the Heritage at Risk Register. This means there is a risk of damage to the road, especially from modern farming methods like ploughing. Efforts are being made to protect this important piece of history.
