Prehistoric Northumberland Canals (Dykes)

GE Map of Prehistoric Northumberland Canals (Dykes)

Old Map

Geological Landscape

Landscape/Terrain

Database of DYKES (Linear Earthworks) in Northumberland

(Click the ‘HE Entry Ref: Number’ (if blue) for more details and Maps)

Name	HE Entry Ref:	NGF	Length (m)	Overall Width (m)	Ditch Width (m)	Bank Width (m)
Three cross Dykes on Middle Hill	1007525	NT87318 12052
Three cross Dykes on Middle Hill	1007525	NT87321 12792
Three cross Dykes on Middle Hill (missing)	1007525	NT87388 12197
Three cross Dykes on Middle Hill	1007525	NT87403 12912
Three cross Dykes on Middle Hill (missing)	1007525	NT87440 13004	396	7	3	4
Cross dyke, 200m south east of Hosedon Linn	1008274	NT 91943 08021	341	8	4	4
Cross dyke south east of Uplaw Knowe	1008275	NT 91497 08479	293	8	4	4
Cross dyke south east of Uplaw Knowe (missing)	1008275	NT 91616 08487	668	8	4	4
Witchy Neuk univallate hillfort and linear boundary 600m west of Hepple Whitefield Farm	1008873	NY 98266 99217
Hadrian's Wall and vallum from Throckley to East Town House, Heddon-on-the-Wall in wall mile 11	1010616	NZ 14310 66842
Hadrian's Wall and vallum from East Town House, Heddon-on-the-Wall to the A69 trunk road in wall mile 12	1010617	NZ 12879 67062
Hadrian's Wall and vallum between the March Burn and Oatens Bank, Harlow Hill in wall miles 13,14 and 15	1010618	NZ 09314 67801
The vallum between Oatens Bank, Harlow Hill, and Whittle Dene Watercourse in wall mile 16	1010621	NZ 07214 68050
Hadrian's Wall and vallum between the B6309 and the B6321 in wall miles 16, 17 and 18	1010622	NZ 05078 68302
Hadrian's Wall and vallum between Sunnybrae at Halton Shields and Haltonchesters Roman fort in wall miles 20 and 21	1010623	NZ 00877 68579
Hadrian's Wall and vallum between the Fence Burn and the track to Portgate Cottage in wall miles 21 and 22	1010625	NY 98763 68461
Hadrian's Wall and vallum between the track to Portgate Cottage and the field boundary east of milecastle 24 in wall miles 22 and 23	1010626	NY 97047 69032
Hadrian's Wall and vallum between field boundary east of milecastle 24 and field boundary west of the site of turret 25b in wall miles 24 to 25	1010958	NY 94794 69391
Hadrian's Wall and vallum between Chesters and the road to Simonburn in wall miles 27, 28 and 29	1010960	NY 89572 70805
Hadrian's Wall and vallum between the road to Simonburn and the field boundary east of Carrawburgh car park in wall miles 29, 30 and 31	1010961	NY 87219 71460
Hadrian's Wall and vallum between the field boundary west of Coventina's Well and the field boundary at Brown Dikes in wall miles 31 and 32	1010962	NY 84604 70985
Hadrian's Wall and vallum between the field boundary at Brown Dikes and the field boundary east of turret 34a in wall miles 32, 33 and 34	1010963	NY 82560 70612
The vallum and early Roman road between the field boundary east of turret 34a and the field boundary west of milecastle 36 in wall miles 34, 35 and 36	1010965	NY 80554 69615
The vallum and a British settlement between the field boundary west of turret 37a and the road to Steel Rigg car park, in wall miles 37, 38 and 39	1010972	NY 76692 67307
The vallum between the road to Steel Rigg car park and the road in Caw Gap in wall miles 39, 40 and 41	1010974	NY 74002 66774
Hadrian's Wall and vallum between the road to Caw Gap and the Caw Burn in wall miles 41 and 42	1010975	NY 71916 66692
The vallum between Cockmount Hill and Walltown Quarry West in wall miles 43, 44 and 45	1010978	NY 68462 66300
Hadrian's Wall and vallum between the field boundary west of Carvoran Roman fort and the west side of the B6318 road in wall mile 46	1010992	NY 65974 65989	775	36	10	13 x 2
Hadrian's Wall, vallum, section of the Stanegate Roman road and a Roman temporary camp between the B6318 road and Poltross Burn in wall miles 46 and 47	1010993	NY 64601 65984
Cross dyke, South of Campville (missing)	1011396	NT 94427 02605	418	7	4	3
Cross dyke, South of Campville (missing)	1011396	NT 94687 02165
Cross dyke, South of Campville	1011396	NT 94702 02223
Carrawburgh Roman fort and Hadrian's Wall and vallum between the field boundary east of the fort and the field boundary west of Coventina's Well in wall mile 31	1015914	NY 85746 71169
Lordenshaw multivallate hillfort, Romano-British settlements, field system, cairnfield, cross dyke, round cairn cemetery, rock art and medieval park pale	1017196	NZ 05554 99220
Rudchester Roman fort, associated civil settlement and a section of Hadrian's Wall and vallum from the A69 to the March Burn in wall mile 13	1017533	NZ 11538 67420
Hadrian's Wall and vallum between the B6321 and Sunnybrae at Halton Shields, in wall miles 18 and 19	1017534	NZ 02781 68574
Cross Dyke and two building foundations at Copper Snout	1017736	NT 89038 08885	474	6	3	3
Hadrian's Wall and vallum between St Oswald's Cottages, east of Brunton Gate and the North Tyne in wall miles 25, 26 and 27	1018581	NY 92493 69695
Housesteads fort, section of Wall and vallum between the field boundary west of milecastle 36 and the field boundary west of turret 37a in wall miles 36 and 37	1018585	NY 78838 68489

Dykes Ditches and Earthworks

Indeed, the modern term “dyke” or “dijk” can be traced back to its Dutch origins. As early as the 12th century, the construction of Dykes in the Netherlands was a well-established practice. One remarkable example of their ingenuity is the Westfriese Omringdijk, stretching an impressive 126 kilometres (78 miles), completed by 1250. This Dyke was formed by connecting existing older ‘dykes’, showcasing the Dutch mastery in managing their aquatic landscape.

The Roman chronicler Tacitus even provides an intriguing historical account of the Batavi, a rebellious people who employed a unique defence strategy during the year AD 70. They punctured the Dykes daringly, deliberately flooding their land to thwart their enemies and secure their retreat. This historical incident highlights the vital role Dykes played in the region’s warfare and water management.

Originally, the word “dijk” encompassed both the trench and the bank, signifying a comprehensive understanding of the Dyke’s dual nature – as both a protective barrier and a channel for water control. This multifaceted concept reflects the profound connection between the Dutch people and their battle against the ever-shifting waters that sought to reclaim their land.

The term “dyke” evolved as time passed, and its usage spread beyond the Dutch borders. Today, it represents not only a symbol of the Netherlands’ engineering prowess but also a universal symbol of human determination in the face of the relentless forces of nature. The legacy of these ancient Dykes lives on, a testament to the resilience and innovation of those who shaped the landscape to withstand the unyielding currents of time.

Upon studying archaeology, whether at university or examining detailed ordinance survey maps, one cannot help but encounter peculiar earthworks scattered across the British hillsides. Astonishingly, these enigmatic features often lack a rational explanation for their presence and purpose. Strangely enough, these features are frequently disregarded in academic circles, brushed aside, or provided with flimsy excuses for their existence. The truth is, these earthworks defy comprehension unless we consider overlooked factors at play.

One curious observation revolves around the term “Dyke,” inherently linked to water. It seems rather peculiar to apply such a word to an earthwork atop a hill unless an ancestral history has imparted its actual function through the ages. Let us consider the celebrated “Offa’s Dyke,” renowned for its massive linear structure, meandering along some of the present boundaries between England and Wales. This impressive feat stands as a testament to the past, seemingly demarcating the realms of the Anglian kingdom of Mercia and the Welsh kingdom of Powys during the 8th century.

However, delving further into the evidence and historical accounts challenges this seemingly straightforward explanation. Roman historian Eutropius, in his work “Historiae Romanae Breviarium”, penned around 369 AD, mentions a grand undertaking by Septimius Severus, the Roman Emperor, from 193 AD to 211 AD. In his pursuit of fortifying the conquered British provinces, Severus constructed a formidable wall stretching 133 miles from coast to coast.

Yet, intriguingly, none of the known Roman defences match this precise length. Hadrian’s Wall, renowned for its defensive prowess, spans a mere 70 miles. Could Eutropius have referred to Offa’s Dyke, which bears remarkable similarity to the Roman practice of initially erecting banks and ditches for defence?

For more information click HERE