The Triple Dyke is one of the outermost linear earthworks forming part of the extensive system of dykes defining Camulodunum, the Late Iron Age territorial oppidum of the Trinovantes and Catuvellauni that flourished under Cunobelinus in the early 1st century AD. Comprising three parallel banks and ditches, it formed part of a defensive and territorial boundary system stretching for many kilometres west of the settlement core at Gosbecks and Sheepen, active from c. AD 5–43 and remaining a landscape feature into the Romano-British period.
Source: Pleiades — A Community-Built Gazetteer and Graph of Ancient Places. View the Pleiades record →
The dyke system represents one of the most sophisticated pre-Roman defensive landscapes in Britain, demarcating the largest oppidum in the country, which became the first Roman provincial capital (Colonia Claudia Victricensis) following the conquest of AD 43. The Triple Dyke specifically demonstrates the scale of late Iron Age political authority and the resources Cunobelinus could marshal to control approaches to his capital.
Investigations by Hawkes and Crummy, alongside later work by the Colchester Archaeological Trust, have traced and sectioned segments of the dyke, showing substantial V-shaped ditches with internal banks, with some recutting in the Roman period. Finds are limited, as expected from boundary earthworks, but stratigraphic relationships with other dykes (notably Gryme's Dyke and Prettygate Dy
The Triple Dyke is one of the outermost linear earthworks forming part of the extensive system of dykes defining Camulodunum, the Late Iron Age territorial oppidum of the Trinovantes and Catuvellauni that flourished under Cunobelinus in the early 1st century AD. It is recorded in the Pleiades gazetteer of ancient places as a settlement site from the Roman period in Britain.
The Triple Dyke: part of the Iron Age territorial oppidum and Romano-British town of Camulodunum is classified as a Roman settlement — a civilian site in the Pleiades ancient world gazetteer. Roman Britain's archaeology encompasses thousands of sites ranging from legionary fortresses and marching camps to villas, temples and towns.
Several Roman sites lie within a short distance, including Roman barrow known as Lexden Mount: part of the Iron Age territorial oppidum and Roman town of Camulodunum (0.4 km), Gryme's Dyke Middle: part of the Iron Age territorial oppidum and Romano-British town of Camulodunum (0.6 km), Lexden Dyke Middle: part of the Iron Age territorial oppidum and Romano-British town of Camulodunum (0.9 km). Aubrey Research maps over 2,200 Roman sites across Britain, drawn from the Pleiades ancient world gazetteer.
Aubrey Research generates detailed historical reports for any location in Britain, incorporating Roman heritage, Domesday Book records, scheduled monument data, archaeological finds and much more. Enter a nearby address to begin.
Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in Britain — drawing on Roman heritage, Domesday records, scheduled monument data, archaeological finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.
Research the area around The Triple Dyke: part of the Iron Age territorial oppidum and Romano-British town of Camulodunum