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. Where not preserved as an
upstanding monument, the dyke is visible as a cropmark on aerial photographs
and elswhere often survives as a low bank beneath present field boundaries. It
was constructed in the post Roman period and encloses an area in the eastern
foothills of the Pennines between the two rivers. 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
to consolidate territorial and economic units in response to changing
political circumstances during the sixth and seventh centuries AD. These were
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 section of Scots Dyke is
well preserved and significant archaeological remains will be preserved within
and beneath the monument.
Details
The monument is a section of linear earthwork known as Scots Dyke lying to
the east of Langdale Rush plantation. The dyke includes a bank and flanking
ditch extending for 150m north to south. The bank is 6m wide and 1m high with
the ditch lying to the east. The ditch has been infilled by agricultural
activity and is visible as a faint hollow 1m wide flanking the bank. At the
northern end the line of the dyke continues as the embankment containing
Stanwick Hall Reservoir. The dyke continues as an earthwork 250m to the north
east where it is the subject of a separate scheduling. To the south the dyke
cannot be identified for 50m but then is visible as an earthwork again and is
the subject of a separate scheduling.
All modern fences and gates are excluded from the scheduling although the
ground beneath is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
26948
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
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
