Scheduled MonumentsEnglandBokerley Dyke, and a section of Grim's Ditch, a section of a medieval boundary bank, and two bowl barrows on and north west of Martin Down

Bokerley Dyke, and a section of Grim's Ditch, a section of a medieval boundary bank, and two bowl barrows on and north west of Martin Down

England
List entry 1012135
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)

Overview

History & significance

Bokerley Dyke is a substantial linear earthwork of prehistoric and Roman date running across Martin Down in Wiltshire, serving as a territorial boundary or defensive barrier. The dyke comprises a ditch with an associated bank and was constructed in phases, with evidence suggesting initial construction in the late Iron Age or early Roman period, with later refortification during the Roman era. The monument extends for considerable length across the downland landscape and remains visible as a prominent topographical feature. Associated with the dyke are sections of Grim's Ditch, another boundary bank of considerable antiquity, and two bowl barrows situated on and north-west of Martin Down, which represent Bronze Age funerary monuments that predate the linear earthworks. These features collectively demonstrate sustained patterns of land use and territorial organisation across the downland from the Bronze Age through the Roman period.

Bokerley Dyke, and a section of Grim's Ditch, a section of a medieval boundary bank, and two bowl barrows on and north west of Martin Down is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1012135. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Bokerley Dyke, and a section of Grim's Ditch, a section of a medieval boundary bank, and two bowl barrows on and north west of Martin Down?

Bokerley Dyke is a substantial linear earthwork of prehistoric and Roman date running across Martin Down in Wiltshire, serving as a territorial boundary or defensive barrier. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1012135.

Who is responsible for protecting Bokerley Dyke, and a section of Grim's Ditch, a section of a medieval boundary bank, and two bowl barrows on and north west of Martin Down?

Bokerley Dyke, and a section of Grim's Ditch, a section of a medieval boundary bank, and two bowl barrows on and north west of Martin Down is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1012135.

What other scheduled monuments are near Bokerley Dyke, and a section of Grim's Ditch, a section of a medieval boundary bank, and two bowl barrows on and north west of Martin Down?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Group of henge monuments, an associated group of round barrows, a Saxon cemetery, and a Norman church at Knowlton (8.2 km), Stephen's Castle, a bowl barrow 720m east of Eastworth Farm (8.4 km), Bowl barrow 240m north east of Martin's Farm Bungalow (8.6 km).

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