Reasons for Designation
Cross dykes are substantial linear earthworks, typically between 2.2km and 1km
long and comprising one or more ditches arranged beside or parallel to one or
more banks. They generally occur in upland situations, running across ridges
and spurs. They are recognised as earthworks, as cropmarks on aerial
photographs, or as combinations of both. The evidence of excavation and
analogy with associated monuments demonstrates that the period of construction
of many cross dykes spanned the millennium from the Middle Bronze Age. Others
are known to have had a function in the Middle Ages; without excavation it is
difficult to determine whether this indicates reuse of earlier dykes or the
construction of new ones during the medieval period. Current information
favours the view that they were used as boundary markers, probably demarcating
some form of land allotment, although they may also have been used as
trackways, cattle droveways or defensive earthworks. Cross dykes are one of
the few monument types which indicate how land was divided up, whether in the
prehistoric or medieval period. They are of considerable importance for the
analysis of contemporary settlement and land use patterns. Relatively few
examples have survived to the present day and hence all well preserved
examples will merit statutory protection.
Details
The monument includes the earthwork remains of a dyke, known as War Dike,
located near the eastern coast of the North York Moors overlooking the sea to
the north east.
The dyke is a medieval estate boundary. From documentary sources dating from
1184 it has been identified as the boundary known as the Steindic. This formed
part of the boundary to land granted to the Knights Hospitallers of St John
of Jerusalem and later to Bridlington Priory. It is one of a series of
boundary features in the area which divided the land into discrete
territories. Some of these divisions have their origins in the prehistoric
period but continued in use into the medieval period and beyond.
The dyke extends from north east to south west for a distance of 150m. It
includes a substantial bank up to 5m wide and 1m high with a ditch lying to
the west. The ditch measures 1m in width. At the northern end the dyke
originally extended north east to the cliff edge some 150m away and at the
southern end the dyke originally continued south east to the head of
Staintondale. However, these further sections of the dyke have been reduced by
agricultural and other activity and the full nature and extent of any
surviving remains is not yet known. They are not therefore included in the
scheduling.
All fences and the wall along the top of the dyke are excluded from the
scheduling, although the ground beneath these features is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
34821
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
