Wat's Dyke facts for kids
Wat's Dyke is a very old, long earth wall built between what is now Wales and England. It's like a big, ancient fence made of earth. This dyke was built before another famous one called Offa's Dyke. It follows a similar path, just a bit inside Offa's Dyke. Today, it might not look very big, but when it was first built, it was a huge and important structure.
What is Wat's Dyke?
Wat's Dyke is an ancient structure made of earth. It has two main parts: a ditch and a bank. The ditch is a long, dug-out trench. The bank is a raised mound of earth next to it. The ditch was on the western side of the bank. This design suggests that the dyke was built to keep people out. It was likely meant to stop Welsh groups from moving into the lands to the east. These eastern lands were mainly settled by Germanic tribes at that time.
When Was It Built?
For a long time, people thought Wat's Dyke was built soon after the Roman Empire left Britain. However, new discoveries have changed this idea. In 2006, scientists did some digging and found clues about when it was built. They now believe it was made between the years 792 and 852 AD.
During the 820s, a king named Coenwulf ruled a kingdom called Mercia. He was often in conflicts with Welsh groups. It's possible that Wat's Dyke was built during his rule to help defend his lands.
Where Is It Now?
Wat's Dyke is still there today, though parts of it have worn away over time. The border between Wales and England runs very close to both Wat's Dyke and Offa's Dyke. This area is known as the Welsh Marches. It's a historic region that has been important for centuries because it sits right on the edge of two different lands.
See also
In Spanish: Muro de Wat para niños
