Reasons for Designation
Scots Dyke is a linear earthwork extending for 14km from the River Tees to
south of the River Swale 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 it does not
survive as an upstanding monument, the dyke is visible as a cropmark on aerial
photographs and elsewhere 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 divide territory for military, social, economic and
political purposes, often using natural features such as rivers or watersheds
to define an area. Scots Dyke was built to consoldate territorial and economic
units as a response to changing political circumstances during the 6th and 7th
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 survives well and will contain important
information about the development of the landscape in the post-Roman period.
Details
The monument includes a section of the linear earthwork known as Scots Dyke
which extends from the River Tees to south of the River Swale. This section,
225m south of St Martin's Priory, consists of a bank and flanking ditch
extending for a total of 80m south west from the junction of Scots Dyke
Terrace and is located on the high ground overlooking the River Swale.
The dyke comprises an earthern bank up to 0.75m high and 5m wide with the
ditch lying to the south. The ditch has been partly infilled and, where it
survives as an earthwork, is 3m wide and 0.25m deep.
The north side of the bank has been disturbed by modern road construction and
the full width of the bank is currently unknown.
To the north of this section the dyke has been levelled by modern road and
house construction, and is not included in the scheduling. However, the
section of the dyke 150m beyond this is the subject of a separate scheduling.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
29543
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals 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
