Bokerley Dyke
Romano-British defensive dyke
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bokerley Dyke, Bokerly Dyke,[1][2] Bokerley Ditch, is a linear earthwork 5.75 kilometres (3.6 mi) long on Cranborne Chase in Dorset, partially running along the county's border with Hampshire between Woodyates and Martin.[3] It is part of a Scheduled Monument together with Grim's Ditch and other associated earthworks.[3]
Bokerley Dyke was excavated by Augustus Pitt Rivers between 1888 and 1891[2] and by Philip Rahtz[4] in advance of road widening in 1958. Bokerley Dyke may have originated in the Bronze Age or Early Iron Age and formed a political and cultural boundary.[5] It was cut through by a Roman Road (Ackling Dyke running between Old Sarum and Badbury Rings) in the 1st century.[5]
In the 4th century it was remodelled and brought back into use, and excavations show that the Roman road was blocked.[5][6] A coin of Valens dates this activity to shortly after 364 AD.[5] It may have been built in 367-8 AD when Roman sources report that Britain was attacked by Picts, Scots and Saxons in a supposed Great Conspiracy.[6] The Roman road was later reopened, but the dyke may have continued in use after the cessation of the Roman rule and still forms part of a boundary between the counties of Dorset and Hampshire.[5]
Bokerley Dyke runs through Martin and Tidpit Downs, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and it is continuous with Grim's Ditch.
