Reasons for Designation
Cross-dykes are substantial linear earthworks typically between 0.2km and 1km
long and comprising one or more ditches arranged beside and parallel to one or
more banks. They generally occur in upland situations, running across ridges
and spurs. They are recognised as earthworks or as cropmarks on aerial
photographs, or as combinations of both. The evidence of excavation and
analogy with associated monuments demonstrates that their construction spans
the millennium from the Middle Bronze Age, although they may have been re-used
later. Current information favours the view that they were used as territorial
boundary markers, probably demarcating land allotment within communities,
although they may also have been used as trackways, cattle droveways or
defensive earthworks. Cross-dykes are one of the few monument types which
illustrate how land was divided up in the prehistoric period. They are of
considerable importance for any analysis of settlement and land use in the
Bronze Age. Very few have survived to the present day and hence all well-
preserved examples are considered to be of national importance.
Details
The monument includes three cross dykes of prehistoric date situated on Middle
Hill. It is divided into three separate areas. The Barrow and Usway Burns
define the east and western sides of Middle Hill, and two of the cross dykes
have been carefully situated in order to utilize the topograpy of the hillside
and demarcate the northern side of the hill from surrounding lower ground; the
third cross dyke is situated at the southern end of Middle Hill.
The latter is the best preserved of the dykes and runs east-west between the
Barrow and the Usway Burns for 270m. The substantial bank of earth is 6m wide
and stands to a height of 2m. There is a ditch 2m wide on the northern side of
the bank for most of its length; however 10m west of the plantation entrance
the bank makes a slight change of angle and from here the ditch runs along the
southern side of the bank. The central dyke, situated at the northern end of
the hill is visible for 170m running between the Barrow and the Usway Burns;
its western end is best preserved where it takes the form of substantial
double earthen banks with a medial ditch. However it is for the most part
planted with trees and is visible as a single low bank standing to 1m high
with a shallow ditch 2m wide to its north. The most northerly ditch is rather
different in character to the previous two dykes: it is on average 1m high and
2m wide with a shallow ditch to its north. It is rather sinuous in nature and
has clearly been re-used as a medieval or post-medieval boundary wall. The
three dykes demarcated an area of land, Middle Hill, and controlled access to
it. They have continued in use as parish boundaries from the Middle Ages and
today demarcate an area of forestry plantation. The fence line which dissects
the most northerly dyke and that which runs along the southern dyke are
excluded from the scheduling but the ground beneath them is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
21041
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
