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 comprises a cross-ridge dyke and part of an adjoining cross-ridge
dyke, surviving as earthworks, which meet at the top of a hill at Juggs Road.
The cross-ridge dyke runs for about 200m north-south between Falmer Bottom and
the top of the hill near Juggs Road. At the top of the hill it meets part of
another cross-ridge dyke which survives as an earthwork running about 75m
towards the upper part of Falmer Bottom to the south-west and Cold Coombes to
the north-east. Aerial photographs show the dyke as continuing beyond the
earthworks as a below-ground feature but these levelled remains are not
included in the scheduling at present.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
23601
Legacy System:
RSM
End of official list entry
