Devil's Dyke facts for kids

Devil's Dyke, also known as Devil's Ditch, is a very old and long earthwork in Cambridgeshire, England. An earthwork is a large structure made from earth, like a ditch and a bank. This one stretches for about 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) across the Newmarket heathland. It's one of the largest and best-preserved ancient monuments in Britain.

Archaeologists have found small pieces of Bronze Age pottery at Devil's Dyke. This suggests that people were in the area thousands of years ago. The Dyke itself was likely built much later, possibly during the Anglo-Saxon period. It was probably used as a defensive barrier or to control movement across the land.

What is Devil's Dyke?

Devil's Dyke is a huge bank of earth with a deep ditch next to it. It runs in a mostly straight line from Reach in the north to Woodditton in the south. The bank is on the western side, and the ditch is on the eastern side. This suggests it was built to defend against attacks from the east.

The Dyke is quite impressive in size. In some places, the bank is up to 30 feet (9 meters) high, and the ditch can be just as deep. Imagine how much effort it took to build something so big without modern machinery! It shows how organized and determined the people who built it must have been.

How was Devil's Dyke built?

Building Devil's Dyke would have been a massive project. It was likely dug and piled up using simple tools like shovels made of wood or bone, and baskets to carry the earth. Thousands of people would have worked on it over a long period. The soil and chalk dug from the ditch were used to create the high bank.

The exact methods used are not fully known, but it's clear it required a huge amount of manual labor. The builders would have needed to plan carefully to keep the line straight and the height consistent. It's a great example of ancient engineering.

What was its purpose?

Historians and archaeologists believe Devil's Dyke had several purposes. The most common idea is that it was a defensive barrier. It would have been very difficult for an army to cross, especially if defenders were positioned on top of the bank. It could have protected settlements or important routes to the west.

Another idea is that it was a way to control trade and movement. People or goods wanting to pass through the area might have had to go through specific gaps in the Dyke. This would have allowed those in charge to collect taxes or keep an eye on who was coming and going. It might also have marked a boundary between different kingdoms or territories.

Who built Devil's Dyke?

The exact builders of Devil's Dyke are still a bit of a mystery. Most experts believe it was built by the Anglo-Saxons sometime between the 5th and 9th centuries AD. This was a time when different Anglo-Saxon kingdoms were often fighting each other.

It's thought that the Kingdom of East Anglia might have built it to protect itself from the powerful Kingdom of Mercia to the west. However, because the bank is on the west and the ditch on the east, it could also have been built by Mercia to defend against East Anglia. The truth is, we don't have written records from that time that clearly state who built it or why.

Life around the Dyke

Life around Devil's Dyke during the Anglo-Saxon period would have been very different from today. People lived in small villages, farming the land and raising animals. The Dyke would have been a major feature in their landscape, possibly even a part of their daily lives if they lived near it.

It's likely that the area was less populated than it is now, with large areas of open heathland and forests. The Dyke would have stood out as a huge human-made structure in a mostly natural environment. It might have been a place for local gatherings or even a boundary for hunting grounds.

Devil's Dyke today

Today, Devil's Dyke is a popular place for walking and enjoying nature. A public footpath runs along the top of the bank for much of its length. It's a great way to experience this ancient monument and imagine what it was like centuries ago.

The Dyke is also an important habitat for wildlife. The chalk grassland on its slopes supports many different plants and insects, including some rare species. It's a protected site, meaning efforts are made to preserve both its historical importance and its natural environment.

Visiting Devil's Dyke

If you visit Devil's Dyke, you can see how impressive it is up close. You can walk along parts of it and get a sense of its scale. It's a reminder of the ancient history of England and the amazing things people could build long ago.

Remember to respect the site by staying on marked paths and not disturbing any plants or animals. It's a piece of history that we can all learn from and enjoy.

Images for kids

• Devil's Dyke from the air.jpg

  Devil's Dyke seen from above, showing its impressive length.

• Devil's Dyke path.jpg

  A path along the top of Devil's Dyke, popular for walkers.

• Devil's Dyke cross section.jpg

  An illustration showing a cross-section of the bank and ditch.