Dead Woman's Ditch facts for kids
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Dead Woman's Ditch is an ancient earthwork located in Over Stowey, Somerset, England. It sits on the beautiful Quantock Hills. An earthwork is a large shape or structure made in the ground by people long ago. This special site is protected as an ancient monument.
What is Dead Woman's Ditch?
Dead Woman's Ditch is a long, straight earthwork. It has a raised bank with a ditch running alongside it on the west side. This impressive structure stretches for about 950 meters (that's almost a kilometer!). It starts near a spring called Lady's Fountain. From there, it crosses Robin Uprights Hill and goes down into Ramscombe.
How Old is it?
Experts believe this earthwork is very old, likely from prehistoric times. This means it was built before written history began. We don't know exactly why it was built. Its purpose remains a mystery! Some historians think it might be connected to another ancient site called Dowsborough.
Its Current State
Over many years, parts of Dead Woman's Ditch have been changed. Later tracks and even a road have cut through it. In some areas, the earthwork is quite worn down and eroded. Because of this, it is listed on the Heritage at Risk Register. This means it's a historic site that needs special care to protect it. A portion of the earthwork is on land managed by the Forestry Commission.
The Name's Origin
You might wonder about the unusual name, "Dead Woman's Ditch." Sometimes, people connect the name to a sad story from 1789. However, old maps show that the name "Dead Woman's Ditch" was used even before that event happened. So, the name is much older than the story some people link it to.
