Bokerley Dyke facts for kids
Bokerley Dyke (also known as Bokerley Ditch) is a very long, ancient ditch and bank. It stretches about 5.75 kilometers (3.57 miles) across the countryside. You can find it in Hampshire, between the villages of Woodyates and Martin. It is a "Scheduled Monument", which means it's a really important historical site protected by law. Sometimes, its name is spelled "Bokerly Dyke".
Contents
What is Bokerley Dyke?
Bokerley Dyke is a type of ancient structure called an "earthwork". This means it was made by shaping the earth, like digging a ditch and piling up the soil to make a bank. It was likely built a very long time ago to mark a boundary or for defense.
Who Explored Bokerley Dyke?
People have studied Bokerley Dyke to learn more about its past.
- Augustus Pitt Rivers, a famous archaeologist, dug into the dyke between 1888 and 1891.
- Later, in 1958, Philip Rahtz also explored it. This was done before a road was made wider nearby.
A Boundary Through Time
Bokerley Dyke might have been built during the Bronze Age or Early Iron Age. These were times long before the Romans came to Britain. It probably acted as a border, separating different groups of people or their lands.
Roman Times and Beyond
When the Romans came to Britain, they built a road called Ackling Dyke. This road, which ran between Old Sarum and Badbury Rings, actually cut right through Bokerley Dyke in the 1st century AD.
Later, around the 4th century AD, Bokerley Dyke was changed and used again. People even blocked the Roman road where it crossed the dyke! A Roman coin from the time of Emperor Valens (after 364 AD) helps us know when this happened. It might have been rebuilt around 367-368 AD. This was when Roman records say Britain was attacked by groups like the Picts, Scots, and Saxons.
Even after the Romans left Britain, the dyke might have continued to be used. Today, it still forms part of the border between the counties of Dorset and Hampshire.
Where is it Located?
Bokerley Dyke runs through an area called Martin and Tidpit Downs. This area is a "Site of Special Scientific Interest" because it has important wildlife and natural features. Bokerley Dyke also connects to another ancient earthwork called Grim's Ditch.
See also
In Spanish: Bokerley Dyke para niños
