1007525 – Three (Cross) Dykes on Middle Hill – Kidland Forest Northumberland
Scheduled Monument List Entry Ref: 1007525 – Grid Tile: NT81SE – Northumberland
GE Satellite Map
OS Map (1800s)
1800s Map
LiDAR Map
Dyke: NT87318 12052 (most northerly)
Length (m): 396
Orientation: W – E
Class Designation*:
Overall Width (m): 7
Ditch Width (m): 3
Bank Width (m): 4
Connectivity**: River
Ditch Shape: ?
Volume (cu.m): 1,544 (@ 1.3 depth)
Man hours to complete: 5,148
Estimated Construction Date: ?
Dyke: NT87321 12792 (middle)
Length (m): 154
Orientation: NW – SE
Class Designation*:
Overall Width (m): 6
Ditch Width (m): 3
Bank Width (m): 3
Connectivity**: River
Ditch Shape: ?
Volume (cu.m): 601 (@ 1.3 depth)
Man hours to complete: 2,003
Estimated Construction Date: ?
Dyke: NT87403 12912 (bottom)
Length (m): 162
Orientation: NW- SE
Class Designation*:
Overall Width (m): 11
Ditch Width (m): 6
Bank Width (m): 5
Connectivity**: River
Ditch Shape: ?
Volume (cu.m): 1,264 (@ 1.3 depth)
Man hours to complete: 4,212
Estimated Construction Date: ?
Dyke: NT87440 13004 (missing)
Length (m): 417
Orientation: N – S
Class Designation*:
Overall Width (m): 8
Ditch Width (m): 4
Bank Width (m): 4
Connectivity**: River
Ditch Shape: ?
Volume (cu.m): 2,168 (@ 1.3 depth)
Man hours to complete: 7,228
Estimated Construction Date: ?
Dyke: NT87388 12197 (missing)
Length (m): 1484
Orientation: N – S
Class Designation*:
Overall Width (m): 14
Ditch Width (m): 8
Bank Width (m): 6
Connectivity**: River
Ditch Shape: ?
Volume (cu.m): 15,433 (@ 1.3 depth)
Man hours to complete: 51,445
Estimated Construction Date: ?
Scheduled Monument Report:
The monument includes three cross dykes of prehistoric date situated on Middle Hill. It is divided into three separate areas.
The Barrow and Usway Burns define the east and western sides of Middle Hill, and two of the cross dykes have been carefully situated in order to utilize the topograpy of the hillside and demarcate the northern side of the hill from surrounding lower ground; the third cross dyke is situated at the southern end of Middle Hill. The latter is the best preserved of the dykes and runs east-west between the Barrow and the Usway Burns for 270m.
The substantial bank of earth is 6m wide and stands to a height of 2m. There is a ditch 2m wide on the northern side of the bank for most of its length; however 10m west of the plantation entrance the bank makes a slight change of angle and from here the ditch runs along the southern side of the bank.
The central dyke, situated at the northern end of the hill is visible for 170m running between the Barrow and the Usway Burns; its western end is best preserved where it takes the form of substantial double earthen banks with a medial ditch. However it is for the most part planted with trees and is visible as a single low bank standing to 1m high with a shallow ditch 2m wide to its north.
The most northerly ditch is rather different in character to the previous two dykes: it is on average 1m high and 2m wide with a shallow ditch to its north. It is rather sinuous in nature and has clearly been re-used as a medieval or post-medieval boundary wall. The three dykes demarcated an area of land, Middle Hill, and controlled access to it. They have continued in use as parish boundaries from the Middle Ages and today demarcate an area of forestry plantation. The fence line which dissects the most northerly dyke and that which runs along the southern dyke are excluded from the scheduling but the ground beneath them is included.
Comments:
Analysis shows that there maybe TWO Dykes missing from the Scheduled Monument report which are in a N-S direction across the high ground.
References:
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1007525
https://prehistoric-britain.co.uk/gigantic-prehistoric-canals-dykes-wansdyke
Further Reading
For information about British Prehistory, visit www.prehistoric-britain.co.uk for the most extensive archaeology blogs and investigations collection, including modern LiDAR reports. This site also includes extracts and articles from the Robert John Langdon Trilogy about Britain in the Prehistoric period, including titles such as The Stonehenge Enigma, Dawn of the Lost Civilisation and the ultimate proof of Post Glacial Flooding and the landscape we see today. . (TSE DVD Introduction)
Robert John Langdon has also created a YouTube web channel with over 100 investigations and video documentaries to support his classic trilogy (Prehistoric Britain). He has also released a collection of strange coincidences that he calls ‘13 Things that Don’t Make Sense in History’ and his recent discovery of a lost Stone Avenue at Avebury in Wiltshire called ‘Silbury Avenue – the Lost Stone Avenue’. (TSE DVD Introduction)
Langdon has also produced a series of ‘shorts’, which are extracts from his main body of books:
For active discussions on the findings of the TRILOGY and recent LiDAR investigations that are published on our WEBSITE, you can join our and leave a message or join the debate on our Facebook Group.
For in-depth information about British Prehistory, we invite you to explore www.prehistoric-britain.co.uk, an extensive resource featuring archaeology blogs and investigations. This collection includes modern LiDAR reports that shed light on ancient landscapes. Additionally, you will find extracts and articles from the Robert John Langdon Trilogy, offering fascinating insights into Britain during the Prehistoric period. Some notable titles from the trilogy include “The Stonehenge Enigma,” “Dawn of the Lost Civilisation,” and groundbreaking evidence of Post Glacial Flooding and its impact on the landscape we see today.
Robert John Langdon has further enriched the exploration of Prehistoric Britain through his YouTube web channel, boasting over 100 investigations and video documentaries that complement his classic trilogy. In addition to his extensive work, Langdon has unveiled a compilation of intriguing coincidences titled “13 Things that Don’t Make Sense in History.” He has also brought to light his recent discovery of a forgotten Stone Avenue in Avebury, Wiltshire, aptly named ‘Silbury Avenue – the Lost Stone Avenue.’
For those who wish to actively engage in discussions about the findings from the TRILOGY and recent LiDAR investigations, we invite you to join our community. You can participate by leaving messages and joining debates on our dedicated Facebook Group. We encourage open dialogue and the exchange of ideas to foster a deeper understanding of Prehistoric Britain and its fascinating mysteries.
As you embark on your journey through British Prehistory, we hope these resources provide valuable insights and inspire further exploration of this captivating field of study.
NB. Recent investigations have indicated the location of hundreds of Quarries and pits built around Wansdyke and how the Dykes were used to transport the minerals transported in these Dykes – see the main site for details of blogs and books on this new discovery.