Section of Scots Dyke linear boundary 75m south west of Sandford House

Reasons for Designation

Scots Dyke is a linear earthwork extending for 14km from the River Swale to the River Tees in North Yorkshire. Significant sections remain visible as upstanding earthworks and indicate that the dyke system had an earthen rampart flanked on the eastern side by a ditch. Elsewhere the dyke often survives as a low bank beneath present field boundaries. Where not preserved as an upstanding monument, the dyke is visible as a cropmark on aerial photographs. It was constructed in the post Roman period and encloses an area in the eastern foothills of the Pennines between the Swale and Tees. This area contained wealthy arable and pastoral land as well as some of the mineral resources of the northern Pennines. Linear earthworks were used to divide territory for military, social, economic and political purposes, often using natural features such as rivers and watersheds to define an area. Scots Dyke was built during the sixth and seventh centuries AD, in response to political changes brought about, at least in part, by the arrival of the Anglians in northern England. Fewer than 50 examples of linear earthworks of post Roman date have been identified in England. As a rare monument type of considerable importance to the study of early medieval territorial patterns, all surviving examples are identified as being of national importance. This monument includes a well preserved section of bank and ditch and significant archaeological remains will be preserved which offer important evidence for the study of form and function of the dyke and its relationship with the wider landscape.

Details

The monument includes a section of linear earthwork known as Scots Dyke extending southwards across the north side of the Swale valley. The monument includes a bank and flanking ditch extending for 150m. The bank is up to 15m wide with a ditch 7m wide lying to the east. The monument lies across a steep slope so that in places the bank is over 3m above the ditch. To the east of the ditch is a small counterscarp bank 3m wide and 0.7m high. To the south the dyke has been altered by agricultural activity and can no longer be identified whilst to the north the dyke is cut by a road but continues as an earthwork 160m to the north where it is the subject of a separate scheduling. All modern fences, gates and walls are excluded from the scheduling although the ground beneath is included.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

26958

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
McDonald, D A, Description and consideration of Scots Dyke, (1984)
Maclaughlan, , Archaeological Journal in Roman Roads Camps and Earthworks in the North Riding, Vol. VOL 6, (1849)

Other
RCHME, Scots Dyke, (1974)

End of official list entry

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