Scheduled MonumentsWalesWat's Dyke: Section W of Ty-Gwyn
Early Medieval · Linear Earthwork

Wat's Dyke: Section W of Ty-Gwyn

Denbighshire, Wales
Cadw SAM DE151
Period
Early Medieval
Site type
Linear Earthwork
Broad class
Monument
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Wat's Dyke Section W of Ty-Gwyn is a linear earthwork dating to the Early Medieval period, forming part of the substantial defensive boundary system constructed in the marches between Anglo-Saxon Mercia and Welsh territories. The dyke in this section comprises a substantial bank and ditch aligned north-south across the landscape near Ty-Gwyn in Denbighshire, representing one of the most significant surviving stretches of this frontier work. Scholarly consensus dates the construction of Wat's Dyke to the late seventh or early eighth century, making it contemporary with or predating the more famous Offa's Dyke constructed a century later. This monument is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and remains an important archaeological testament to Early Medieval political boundaries and territorial control in the Anglo-Welsh borderlands.

Wat's Dyke: Section W of Ty-Gwyn is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference DE151. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Wat's Dyke: Section W of Ty-Gwyn?

Wat's Dyke Section W of Ty-Gwyn is a linear earthwork dating to the Early Medieval period, forming part of the substantial defensive boundary system constructed in the marches between Anglo-Saxon Mercia and Welsh territories. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference DE151.

What period does Wat's Dyke: Section W of Ty-Gwyn date from?

Wat's Dyke: Section W of Ty-Gwyn dates from the early medieval period, and is classified as a linear earthwork. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Wat's Dyke: Section W of Ty-Gwyn?

Wat's Dyke: Section W of Ty-Gwyn is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is DE151.

What other scheduled monuments are near Wat's Dyke: Section W of Ty-Gwyn?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Wat's Dyke: Section extending from Middle Sontley to Black Brook Bridge (6.6 km), Offa's Dyke: Section S of Aberderfyn Road (6.7 km), Wat's Dyke: Section extending from Black Brook Bridge to Pentre-Clawdd (7.8 km).

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