Wansdyke East – Prehistoric Canals

Promotional Video – Ancient Prehistoric Canals (Dykes) – Wansdyke

Extract From Book……………………… Ancient Prehistoric Canals (Dykes) – Wansdyke (Wansdyke East – Prehistoric Canals)

The INTRODUCTION

Wansdyke has always captured the imagination of the general public as it is a substantial prominent structure in the Wiltshire landscape relatively close to another famous ancient site Avebury, which also has massive ditches like Wansdyke and therefore, one might suggest there is a direct relationship between the two.

This apparent connection has not occurred to past or present archaeologists who sought to find a simple meaning for this unique ‘linear structure’ and hence the conclusion that it was built to defend warlike invaders of the past and hence a ‘Saxon’ name was adopted as historians of the past believed that these ‘tribes’ had large armed forces that could cope with such grand engineering undertakings as it was to defend their land.

Over the last few decades, this ‘fact’ (which was also shared by an even more immense ‘Dyke’ also named after a Saxon ‘Offa’) has been revisited and found that this continuous defence ditch is far less continuous than previously believed and a new theory developed for these earthworks as ‘Boarder Markers’ in the landscape – as they have never been a single body found with battle wounds in all 22 miles of Wansdyke or the 177 mile Offa’s Dyke which would support the defence hypothesis.

Sadly, even with this new ‘reassuring’ suggestion for these extensive sites, archaeologists have failed to address the facts that Dykes are incomplete and not continuous (Offa has 40% missing and Wansdyke has 20% missing) and there beginning and end points just ‘appear’ without reason in the landscape ‘like magic’ with no one able to tell you why.

Moreover, if these ‘Boundary Markers’ taking years if not decades to build were demarcation points for land ownership, then why do some Dykes (like Offa) track much larger separation points like major rivers that would have been a far more apparent marker than a 4m ditch and a known and well used territorial boundary marker still used today.

Furthermore, archaeologists have ignored that there are over 1500+ scheduled Dykes in Britain (including Ireland), of which 90% could not be used for this function as some of these ‘boundary markers’ are found on uninhabited islands dotted around the entire circumference of Britain.

Robert John Langdon (2022)

Section 2 – HE:1004719  Wansdyke: Section from S of Furze Hill to Marlborough-Pewsey Road 4.3km (4,300m = 12,900 working days – 20 men taking 649 days (1.78 years).

No, Historic Details or Excavations Registered

S of Furze Hill to Marlborough - Pewsey Roads (GE) - Wansdyke East - Prehistoric Canals
S of Furze Hill to Marlborough – Pewsey Roads (GE) – Prehistoric Canals (Dykes) – Wansdyke (2)

 OS Map

S of Furze Hill to Marlborough - Pewsey Roads (OS -Wansdyke East - Prehistoric Canals
S of Furze Hill to Marlborough – Pewsey Roads (OS) – Prehistoric Canals (Dykes) – Wansdyke (2)

1800 OS Map

S of Furze Hill to Marlborough - Pewsey Roads (1800s Map) - Wansdyke East - Prehistoric Canals
S of Furze Hill to Marlborough – Pewsey Roads (1800s Map) -Wansdyke East – Prehistoric Canals

LiDAR Map

S of Furze Hill to Marlborough - Pewsey Roads (LiDAR) - Wansdyke East - Prehistoric Canals
S of Furze Hill to Marlborough – Pewsey Roads (LiDAR) – Wansdyke East – Prehistoric Canals

LiDAR (with Mesolithic water levels)

S of Furze Hill to Marlborough - Pewsey Roads (with Meso Water Levels) - Wansdyke East - Prehistoric Canals
S of Furze Hill to Marlborough – Pewsey Roads (with Meso Water Levels) -Wansdyke East – Prehistoric Canals

Canal working hours

 We use an estimated rate of 0.3m per day for calculating sections; on this single section, of the Dyke; we have a total length of 4.3km (4,325m).

 At a rate of 0.3m per day over 8 hours – this gives us 12,975 working days.  Using 20 person in a work team (with 200 people supporting the workers – to suppy food, water shelter, repair tools and clear the ground in advance of trees and scrubs.  This gives us a total of 649 days (1.78 years).   The estimate is based on one man cutting 0.3m per day (Ditch down to 2m deep within a chalk bedrock and the piling of the bank).

P.J.Fowler (2001) used 0.1423 metres per hour and claimed 1,000 men built the ENTIRE East Dyke in 30 days working 10-hours a day six days a week??

This ridiculous claim even with modern tools, it would be too demanding, and the logistics of feeding, mending tools and housing 1,000 men were not taken into account. 

If we take the East Wansdyke into account – which is a total of 25,408 – we then get a calculation of 84,693 days. That is 11.6 years for the same 200 man tean (20 digging) – which indicates that this Dyke was built in small sections and then joined at a later date?

Twisty Route

What is clear from the route of this section of Wansdyke is that it is not straight at all; it works against the topology to bend at 90 degrees in some places and dip down unnecessarily into a valley rather than taking the high ground. 

The line of Wansdyke is not remotely straight - Wansdyke East - Prehistoric Canals
The line of Wansdyke is not remotely straight – Wansdyke East – Prehistoric Canals

But these wild undulations into valleys also cause problems for my hypothesis as a canal. For example, how could a canal move up and down significant gradients without locks?

Well, the answer is that they can’t – but the solution to this problem is in detail, for if you look again at this part of Wansdyke going into an old dry river valley, you see something archaeologists miss – it stops!!

We also saw this from the transition from Section 1 to Section 2 of Wansdyke.  The second was a gap, which looked like a piece filled in by farming; there were two other gaps; the first was a later road cutting through and then a railway doing the same.

Gap number Two in Wansdyke - Wansdyke East - Prehistoric Canals
Gap number Two in Wansdyke – Wansdyke East – Prehistoric Canals
Mesolithic Water Levels again fills the gap - Wansdyke East - Prehistoric Canals
Mesolithic Water Levels again fills the gap – Wansdyke East – Prehistoric Canals

The Dry River Valley aspect of this part of the canal comes with a massive gradient – if it went to the valley’s bottom, it would make moving a boat very difficult.  But we see on LiDAR evidence of the Dyke stopping before reaching the bottom.  This is because, at some point in the past, this dry river valley in prehistoric times would not be ‘dry’ but full of water, as shown in the illustration (Fig.49)

This would make sense to the termination on the right as it would initially end at the river’s shoreline. If this was the case, the simple answer to the problem is that at that point, you took the boat across the river, so the gradients of the Dyke in the Mesolithic were small.

But why is there a continuation (bank) of the Dyke down the valley?

This can best be answered by understanding what happened to this earthwork once the waters started to fall in the Neolithic Period.

Logically, as the waters fell, the ditch would have been extended to meet the lower water level until the slope was too extreme to continue and was abandoned.  Later once the river had completely dried up (and consequently the rest of the Dyke as the water table would have universally fallen), the natural road (the bank of the Dyke) would be used as a road.

Excavations of similar aspects of Dykes have shown that the bank reduced in height and became flattered like a road and hence more comprehensive.  To use this road permanently, the builders adapted the dry river valley element (which would still be boggy for many centuries after the river disappeared) by adding to the bank by removing soil from the ground – but on both sides, making the ditch element smaller and more shallow than the rest of the Dyke and to both sides.

The result of this work looks like a loss of the deep ditch but is more likely a change in its structure – which is seen clearly on parts excavated in other Dykes but impossible to see here without excavation.

Long Barrow

An interesting associated feature can be found just 200m south of Wansdyke Section 2 – A Long Barrow.

“The monument includes a long barrow set above the floor of a dry valley in an area of gently undulating chalk downland. The barrow mound is ovate and orientated east-west. It is 40m long, 27m wide and stands to a maximum height of 3.5m. Flanking the barrow mound to the north and south are ditches from which the material used to form the mound was quarried during the construction of the monument. These survive as earthworks 8m wide and 1m deep” – Historic England

What should be noted is it’s ON THE SHORELINE of the ‘Dry River Valley’ as shown from the suggested water level in our illustration.  This is reflected by the ‘track’ (dyke) that connects the shoreline to the main Wansdyke Canal. So are we seeing the Dyke being used at a later date to take the  bones of the dead from a reincarnation site to the Long Barrow?

This confirms the river levels at the time of construction and the previously speculated gap in Wansdyke by the river valley top.

Flint Pits

Again, as shown in the previous section (1), another interesting feature near the Dyke is the ‘Old Flint Pits’ as a feature on the 1886 edition of the OS map but not recorded by the Historic Monuments Dept.

90-degree bend

Another strange and bewildering feature in this section is the 90-degree bend on the Dyke.

This ‘kink’  confirms that Wansdyke was never built as either a Defensive wall or Boundary marker.  As if it was a defensive feature, it would not have a ‘gently rounded ditch – it would be square like a castle.  If it were just a marker, it would cut across the flat landscape – as it is more work to create such a turning for no reason.

The only logical reason for such an engineering feature is that it was added later when the Water Levels dropped in the Neolithic to follow the landscape topology.

Epilogue

Unveiling the True Purpose of Britain’s Largest Linear Earthworks

The recent publication of three Lidar investigations into Offa’s Dyke, Wansdyke, and The Vallum at Hadrian’s Wall has revealed that these structures were built in areas affluent in quarrying and mineral extraction.  Archaeologists have overlooked mainly this critical aspect until now.

The likelihood that these earthworks were used to transport materials to rivers for trading is compelling.  Moreover, the possibility that they were initially constructed as transport routes for boats during the Mesolithic period, with quarries developing around this infrastructure later, is an intriguing hypothesis that deserves attention.

As we continue to study these ancient linear earthworks with advanced landscape tools like Lidar, we can expect this timeline to become more apparent.  What is undeniable is that the old myths of these structures being solely fortifications or boundary markers are complete fiction.  While they may have been used as such after their original construction, their primary purpose was much more complex and integral to early trade and transportation networks.

This new understanding challenges long-held beliefs and opens exciting avenues for future research into these remarkable earthworks’ true history and function.

Results from the LiDAR investigations

Wansdyke

With meticulous precision, our investigations have set out to unravel the intricacies enshrouding Wansdyke, delving boldly into the heart of its historical narrative.  In so doing, it dares to challenge the archaic views, which have rendered Wansdyke a mere defensive ditch or a boundary marker of the Saxon age.  However, a discerning eye reveals that these notions lack the bedrock of objective evidence, for they rely merely on a handful of carbon dates, a commonplace in the annals of sites from that period.

Unveiling the True Purpose of Britain’s Largest Linear Earthworks

Yet, the gaps within this enigmatic earthwork beckon us to embark on an exploratory journey that hints at the presence of something else entirely – the possibility of water coursing through these river valleys.  We dare to propose that these ditches were not mere boundaries but ingeniously designed moated canals, where boats once plied as a means of transport, an ideal mode of travel within a water-rich landscape.

Though our current knowledge may fall short of unearthing all the answers, the profound excavations led by Pitt Rivers present a tantalising glimpse, revealing that water once flowed through these ditches.  And the Romans themselves, much later, saw fit to repurpose these canals, affirming their practicality and utility in the annals of history.

The advent of LiDAR has unfurled before us an unprecedented vista, affording a sweeping survey of over 1500 Scheduled Dykes throughout Britain.  In the luminous wake of this technology, a compelling story unfolds, hinting at Wansdyke’s Mesolithic origins, challenging established beliefs, and unveiling its construction during a period of abundant river levels, a time far more distant than previously perceived.

With their customary flair for adaptation, the Romans likely reworked sections of Wansdyke, leaving behind a more cohesive structure than its counterparts.  The Vallum by Hadrian’s Wall and Offa’s Dyke bear the indelible marks of their prehistoric origins, standing as testaments to the Romans’ quarrying and stone-delivery endeavours.

Yet, we venture further into the mists of history, exploring prehistoric mining, the significance of quarried materials, and their vital role in facilitating trade – not just within Britain’s borders but beyond, crisscrossing the conflation of Europe.  This revelation dispels earlier scepticism and shines a light on the sophisticated network of international trade that flowed with the currents of time, enriching Wansdyke’s profound legacy as a conduit of a vibrant and interconnected ancient civilisation.

The veil of uncertainty still shrouds the origins of West Wansdyke in a cloak of ambiguity.  While the passage of time has not yet delivered a definitive date, the prevailing narrative, tethered to a carbon dating of 1500 BCE, finds itself juxtaposed against emerging evidence.  This evidence, born of meticulous inquiry, casts shadows of doubt upon the established chronology and beckons us to reevaluate our understanding.

In the chronicles of academia, where scepticism is both a guardian of rigour and a hurdle to innovation, the seeds of inquiry were sown some fifteen years ago.  The publication that dared to challenge convention and present a different perspective on West Wansdyke stirred a tempest within the academic community.  Accusations of ‘pseudoscience’ echoed like distant thunder, casting a shadow over the revelations that dared to dissent.

Yet, the march of progress is often fueled by the fervour of inquiry and the evolution of knowledge.  Archaeologists, driven by a relentless pursuit of truth, have not shied away from the fray.  In an embrace of scientific discovery, new dating evidence has emerged—a beacon of revelation that punctures the shroud of scepticism that once enshrouded the discourse.

Carbon dating, that time-traveller’s tool that peers into the past through the lens of isotopes, has yielded results that lend credence to the suspicions germinating in the fertile soil of curiosity.  LiDAR, with its laser-guided gaze, has unveiled hidden landscapes and confirmed the prehistoric existence of canals—ancient pathways etched into the earth by the hands of civilisations long past.

As we stand at this juncture, it is not merely the story of West Wansdyke that unfolds before us; it is a testament to the evolution of thought and the malleability of understanding.  The ‘pseudoscience’ that once raised eyebrows now stands vindicated—a reminder that the boundaries of knowledge are ever-shifting, ever-expanding, yielding to the tenacity of those who dare to question.

In the grand theatre of history, where narratives are woven from threads of evidence and conjecture, the tale of West Wansdyke takes centre stage.  It serves as a reminder that even the most firmly established edifices of understanding can be reshaped by the currents of new insight.  The academic stir that was ignited by dissenting revelations has matured into a symphony of acceptance—a harmonious acknowledgement that the pursuit of knowledge, however tumultuous, is the essence of scholarly endeavour.

As we navigate the twists and turns of this historical journey, we honour the legacy of those who dared to defy convention, the archaeologists who continued to dig beneath the surface, and the spirit of inquiry that animates the quest for truth.  In this narrative, West Wansdyke emerges not just as a physical structure of the past, but as a symbol of the human spirit’s unyielding march toward comprehension—a testament that even in the face of scepticism, the pursuit of understanding remains an unwavering beacon of progress.

Consequently, in the HE publication ‘Prehistoric Linear Boundary Earthworks: Introductions to Heritage Assets.  Swindon.  Historic England 2018’.

The archaeologists confess that “Some of the earliest (Dykes) seem to date to the later Neolithic period: on Ebberston Common, the latest sequence of at least six pit alignments appears to predate the construction of a round barrow which would typically date to the earlier Bronze Age, around 2000 BC. “(see Page Fig.87. Page 151 for full quotation).

And as a consequence of their endeavours now are happy to plush a timeline of Dyke construction, vindicating my original work and allowing us to date West Wansdyke from my research on water levels in the prehistoric from the middle Mesolithic to the Bronze Age.

Hadrian’s Wall – The Vallum

Unveiling the True Purpose of Britain’s Largest Linear Earthworks

Our Findings

Before we reflect on our findings Section by Section, It may be beneficial to look at the total statistics for some aspects of Hadrian’s Wall, as such details have not been found in our research on this subject.

Vallum

Total length found: 73,812m (45.86 miles) – 62% of the entire wall length

Total length missing: 40,075m (24.90 miles) – 35% of the Vallum length

The total length of Vellum 113,887m (70.77 miles)

In comparison, Hadrian’s Wall is reported as 80 Roman miles or 73 standard miles in length.

Within the 70.77 miles of the Vallum, we have identified – within 200m of the construction:

46 Springs (as specified by the 1800 OS maps series)

54 Quarries

14 Prehistoric Ancient sites

To judge if the frequency of these objects are standard or an anomaly of the Vallum – we have measured two roughly parallel lines to the Vallum, one 5 miles to the north and the other to the south, so still conforming to a similar environment and then counted the frequency of these objects that are also within 200m of the experimental map lines:

Northern Test line

12 Springs

25 Quarries

1 Ancient site

Southern Test Line

10 Springs

30 Quarries

3 Ancient Sites

Consequently, we can now judge the Vallum path against our map test lines:

10 v 46 Springs – Vallum has 460% more Springs

30 v 54 Quarries – Vallum has 180% more Quarries

14 v 2 Ancient Sites – Vallum has 700% more sites

With these fantastic statistics in mind, we can now take a detailed look at the LiDAR investigations, starting with Section A, where we find that the Vallum ends some distance before the end of the Wall on the Bowness-on-Solway coast.

This terminus seems to be at a point of a Paleochannel/Dyke that turns and heads south overland, which has no connection to the Wall.  This Section shows that the Wall was built at an inappropriate distance from the current river to be defensive – as attackers would be free to land and muster.

The LiDAR map shows the likelihood that the river was higher in the Roman period and that the Wall was built on its shoreline, making it a much more secure feature.  This raised water level would suggest that the Paleochannel was full of water and was used to link into the Vallum as a canal feature.

Section B, shows that the Vallum was in this area (sections A & B) as short-run (2.6 miles) and not continuous.  The terminal point to the east of this run again is in a river valley, which was again higher than today at the time of Roman occupation, allowing boats to enter and exit from the river Esk to supply or deliver Stone to the Wall as there is an absence of the suggested ‘Military Way’ that was supposed to be constructed for this purpose.

We will not see any signs of the Military Way (see case study) for the next 24.2km, indicating that the Vallum was the primary source of supply and communication.

Section C, demonstrates that the Vallum disappears for 2.6 miles on the LiDAR map.  No excavation evidence shows it was below the surface; we can only conclude that it did not exist in this Section.  This questions the old theory about the Vallum being constructed as a defence structure either before the Wall was built or after to defend the south flank – as attackers could just walk around it?

This Section also offers further support to the higher water table at the time of the Wall’s construction as it seems to bend around the shorelines of these higher river levels, which otherwise make no engineering or defensive sense?

Sections D and E, illustrate the raised water levels of prehistory and, consequently, the path of the Wall and Vallum, which in places (such as in the River Eden) disappears, indicating that the Vallum was probably constructed on an existing ‘Dyke’ and enlarged for their purposes?

Sections F, G and H show the first signs of the Roman Road called Stanegate (see case study).  The Vallum again is broken in its course by the river valleys in this area, eradicating any evidence of its existence.  It also shows that the Vallum headed towards river valleys rather than avoiding them, which again would suggest these were earlier prehistoric features that were reused.

Vallum – was once a series of prehistoric dykes which were recut and extended to deliver supplies and stone to the Wall.

Stanegate – does not exist as a road but has a river connection to the first five sites.

Military Way – Does not exist as an independent road(way) but is observable in areas not covered by the Vallum.

The Antonine Wall – was once a series of Dykes that was reconnect together and recut.

Unveiling the True Purpose of Britain’s Largest Linear Earthworks

Offa’s Dyke

The Total length of Offa’s Dyke (including gaps and missing sections) 279,745m (173.8 miles)

Total length Found (by LiDAR): 95,044m (59.2 miles) – 34% of the entire length

Total length Missing (by LiDAR): 185,476m (114.6 miles) – 66% of the entire length

Total number of Gaps in the Offa’s Dyke – 70

Total number of Scheduled Monuments in Listing: 237

Features

Within the 59.2 miles of Offa’s Dyke, we have identified – within 200m of the construction:

118 (33 Natural Springs)/Wells/Ponds (as specified by the 1800 OS maps series – Wells and Ponds included to show high water table)

303 Quarries/Bell Pits (Bell Pits Ancient Quarry Holes) ave of 5 Quarries per mile of Dyke

12 Prehistoric Ancient Sites

4 Barrows

7 Roman Sites

52% of Sections are linked to each other

20% of Sections are connected to existing rivers

28% of Sections join Paleochannels

Summary

Section A – Total 20,201m. 14 Gaps – 6,758m missing (34%)

Section B – Total 110,545m. 10 Gaps – 106,768 missing (97%)

Section C – Total 55,905m.  17 Gaps – 7,990 missing (14%)

Section D – Total 56,369m. 22 Gaps – 29,848 missing (53%)

Section E – Total 36,725m. 7 Gaps – 33,101 missing (90%)

                Our findings concluded that these landscape features are much more exciting and complex than the archaeologists currently imagine, as each Section has its interest that finally gives us a solution to the construction and functionality of the Dyke.

Section A – Runs around the hills surrounding Chepstow and the River Wye.  This Dyke is no boundary or marker as the river would be a better solution to both causes.  But what it does show is the connection to Quarries and Roman Roads that would have probably linked to the canal system it inherited from the ancient Dyke builders.  These ‘linear earthworks’ were created to assist in trade during both prehistory and later Roman era until the canals dried up when the roads built upon the banks of these Dykes replaced the method of transport.

Section B – Shows why the Dyke is not interconnected, as 97% of it is missing, and there is not functionality or design that links together the small portions of Dyke that is in this Section.

Section C – Has the least missing sections, yet it still has 14% missing with 17 gaps, indicating that these Dykes are a series of individual trading canals and not a single entity.  This trading can be seen in the extensive quarries in this area, which have been mined for their mineral wealth for thousands of years.

Each hill has a different design from the last regarding width and Depth of the Ditch.  What we are seeing is a degree of uniformity in access to quarries and water sources, and natural springs along the Dyke.

Section D – This is a 50/50 series of Dyke to gap ratio, again showing that it is connected to Quarries and Mining, particularly Coal Mining, which the Romans widely used.  These are some of the largest coal mines in Britain.  The Dyke does not just come close – it in some cases the alignment goes through the middle of these quarries, with on average four quarries per Section which makes any suggestion that these Dykes were not used in conjunction with the minerals being extracted (as we see also in The Vallum at Hadrian’s Wall) and were constructed for another purpose as completely absurd.

Section E – Even archaeologists (including Fox) now admit that this is a different series of Dykes (Whitford Dyke) and not part of Offa’s Dyke as it’s too dysfunctional.

So, our conclusion about Offa’s Dyke is that we are looking at a series of working Dykes – initially built in prehistoric times and then utilised (as again we found in The Vallum) by the Romans to service the same Quarries for trading purposes.

In particular, we see this Roman influence in Section D as these are Coal minerals, which we know they used to heat the hypocaust underfloor furnaces of their Bath and home houses, which to date, archaeologists have failed to investigate the sources of this coal and how it was transported.

The Book - Prehistoric Canals (Dykes) - Wansdyke (2)
– Wansdyke East – Prehistoric Canals

This was an extracts from the NEW Book Ancient Prehistoric Canals (Dykes) – Wansdyke available on Amazon as a FULL COLOUR HARD BACK (£19.95) or a ECONOMY (£4.99) SOFTBACK black and white VERSION – it is also available as a KINDLE (£1.99) book. For further information about our work on Prehistoric Britain visit our WEBSITE or VIDEO CHANNEL.

Book details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BF31GQKC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (18 Sept. 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 134 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8353488897
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.24 x 1.3 x 22.86 cm
  • Illustrations: 85
  • Customer reviews: 5.0 out of 5 stars    1 rating

PodCast

Author’s Biography

Robert John Langdon, a polymathic luminary, emerges as a writer, historian, and eminent specialist in LiDAR Landscape Archaeology.

His intellectual voyage has interwoven with stints as an astute scrutineer for governmental realms and grand corporate bastions, a tapestry spanning British Telecommunications, Cable and Wireless, British Gas, and the esteemed University of London.

A decade hence, Robert’s transition into retirement unfurled a chapter of insatiable curiosity. This phase saw him immerse himself in Politics, Archaeology, Philosophy, and the enigmatic realm of Quantum Mechanics. His academic odyssey traversed the venerable corridors of knowledge hubs such as the Museum of London, University College London, Birkbeck College, The City Literature Institute, and Chichester University.

In the symphony of his life, Robert is a custodian of three progeny and a pair of cherished grandchildren. His sanctuary lies ensconced in the embrace of West Wales, where he inhabits an isolated cottage, its windows framing a vista of the boundless sea – a retreat from the scrutinous gaze of the Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, an amiable clandestinity in the lap of nature’s embrace.

Exploring Prehistoric Britain: A Journey Through Time

My blog delves into the fascinating mysteries of prehistoric Britain, challenging conventional narratives and offering fresh perspectives based on cutting-edge research, particularly using LiDAR technology. I invite you to explore some key areas of my research. For example, the Wansdyke, often cited as a defensive structure, is re-examined in light of new evidence. I’ve presented my findings in my blog post Wansdyke: A British Frontier Wall – ‘Debunked’, and a Wansdyke LiDAR Flyover video further visualizes my conclusions.

My work also often challenges established archaeological dogma. I argue that many sites, such as Hambledon Hill, commonly identified as Iron Age hillforts are not what they seem. My posts Lidar Investigation Hambledon Hill – NOT an ‘Iron Age Fort’ and Unmasking the “Iron Age Hillfort” Myth explore these ideas in detail and offer an alternative view. Similarly, sites like Cissbury Ring and White Sheet Camp, also receive a re-evaluation based on LiDAR analysis in my posts Lidar Investigation Cissbury Ring through time and Lidar Investigation White Sheet Camp, revealing fascinating insights into their true purpose. I have also examined South Cadbury Castle, often linked to the mythical Camelot56.

My research also extends to the topic of ancient water management, including the role of canals and other linear earthworks. I have discussed the true origins of Car Dyke in multiple posts including Car Dyke – ABC News PodCast and Lidar Investigation Car Dyke – North Section, suggesting a Mesolithic origin2357. I also explore the misidentification of Roman aqueducts, as seen in my posts on the Great Chesters (Roman) Aqueduct. My research has also been greatly informed by my post-glacial flooding hypothesis which has helped to inform the landscape transformations over time. I have discussed this hypothesis in several posts including AI now supports my Post-Glacial Flooding Hypothesis and Exploring Britain’s Flooded Past: A Personal Journey

Finally, my blog also investigates prehistoric burial practices, as seen in Prehistoric Burial Practices of Britain and explores the mystery of Pillow Mounds, often mistaken for medieval rabbit warrens, but with a potential link to Bronze Age cremation in my posts: Pillow Mounds: A Bronze Age Legacy of Cremation? and The Mystery of Pillow Mounds: Are They Really Medieval Rabbit Warrens?. My research also includes the astronomical insights of ancient sites, for example, in Rediscovering the Winter Solstice: The Original Winter Festival. I also review new information about the construction of Stonehenge in The Stonehenge Enigma.

Further Reading

For those interested in British Prehistory, visit www.prehistoric-britain.co.uk, a comprehensive resource featuring an extensive collection of archaeology articles, modern LiDAR investigations, and groundbreaking research. The site also includes insights and extracts from the acclaimed Robert John Langdon Trilogy, a series of books exploring Britain during the Prehistoric period. Titles in the trilogy include The Stonehenge Enigma, Dawn of the Lost Civilisation, and The Post Glacial Flooding Hypothesis, offering compelling evidence about ancient landscapes shaped by post-glacial flooding.

To further explore these topics, Robert John Langdon has developed a dedicated YouTube channel featuring over 100 video documentaries and investigations that complement the trilogy. Notable discoveries and studies showcased on the channel include 13 Things that Don’t Make Sense in History and the revelation of Silbury Avenue – The Lost Stone Avenue, a rediscovered prehistoric feature at Avebury, Wiltshire.

In addition to his main works, Langdon has released a series of shorter, accessible publications, ideal for readers delving into specific topics. These include:

For active discussions and updates on the trilogy’s findings and recent LiDAR investigations, join our vibrant community on Facebook. Engage with like-minded enthusiasts by leaving a message or contributing to debates in our Facebook Group.

Whether through the books, the website, or interactive videos, we aim to provide a deeper understanding of Britain’s fascinating prehistoric past. We encourage you to explore these resources and uncover the mysteries of ancient landscapes through the lens of modern archaeology.

For more information, including chapter extracts and related publications, visit the Robert John Langdon Author Page. Dive into works such as The Stonehenge Enigma or Dawn of the Lost Civilisation, and explore cutting-edge theories that challenge traditional historical narratives.

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Prehistoric Canals (Dykes) – Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow)

Promotional Video – Ancient Prehistoric Canals (Dykes) – Offa’s Dyke ( Offa’s Dyke Chepstow)

Extract From Book……………………… Ancient Prehistoric Canals (Dykes) – Offa’s Dyke

The Introduction

Offa’s Dyke is seen as one of the two significant Linear Earthworks (of Britain) as it is supposed to be over 200 miles from Coast to coast dividing England from Wales and, consequently, was once one of the greatest battle grounds in history with this massive defence required to tame the barbaric hordes (like the Picts in Scotland) from the home of civilisation.

The problem with this flight of fancy is its complete nonsense, which this book can now testify.  Sir Cyril Fox, in the 1950s, was most famous for producing his classic book ‘Offa’s Dyke – A field survey of the Western-Works of Mercia in the Seventh and Eight Centuries A.D.”, which detailed his field walking and observations on this most historic of Earth Battlements, which we have now seen from more scientific evidence available from LiDAR was nothing more than misinterpretations of the landscape to justify hypotheses that ‘didn’t hold water’ – but sadly for him, it did!

The harsh reality is that this ‘swiss cheese’ hypothesis was, as suggested, full of holes – over 200 of them, to be more exact, covering nearly 60% of this supposed Mercia defensive barrier with gaps large enough for people to walk through with ease.

Later archaeologists have attempted to remedy this false claim, yet it still is quoted by the likes of English Heritage, Historic Britain and CADW to fill the void of ignorance and lack of study. Consequently, this FIRST LiDAR study of Offa’s Dyke in detail has revealed many new truths which should progress our understanding of the past.

History

According to Historic England – Offa’s Dyke is the longest linear earthwork in Britain, approximately 220km, running from Treuddyn, near Mold, to Sedbury on the Severn estuary.

It was constructed towards the end of the eighth century AD by the Mercian king Offa, and is believed to have formed a long-lived territorial, and possibly defensive, boundary between the Saxon kingdom of Mercia and the Welsh kingdoms. The Dyke is not continuous and consists of a number of discrete lengths separated by gaps of up to 23km.

It is clear from the nature of certain sections that differences in the scale and character of adjoining portions were the result of separate gangs being employed on different lengths. Where possible, natural topographic features such as slopes or rivers were utilised, and the form of Offa’s Dyke is therefore clearly related to the topography. Along most of its length it consists of a bank with a ditch to the west.

Excavation has indicated that at least some lengths of the bank had a vertical outer face of either laid stonework or turf revetment. The ditch generally seems to have been used to provide most of the bank material, although there is also evidence in some locations of shallow quarries. In places, a berm divides the bank and ditch, and a counterscarp bank may be present on the lip of the ditch. Offa’s Dyke now survives in various states of preservation in the form of earthworks and, where sections have been levelled and infilled, as buried features.

Although some sections of the frontier system no longer survive visibly, sufficient evidence does exist for its position to be accurately identified throughout most of its length. In view of its contribution towards the study of early medieval territorial patterns, all sections of Offa’s Dyke exhibiting significant archaeological remains are considered worthy of protection.

The reality is that Offa’s Dyke is a complete mystery to archaeologists and historians as it is incomplete and varies from section to section. This is the first LiDAR survey of this ‘Earthwork’ undertaken for its entire length and every metre that’s supposedly marked in the Landscape.

The consequences of this survey changes the nature and understanding of this ‘Dyke’ to such an extent that it re-invents the history of this Scheduled Monument, which will have repercussions for decades to come.

But first, we must lay the ground to allow readers to understand what we are seeing in Offa’s Dyke, and so the following three chapters have been written to give the reader this background of understanding.

Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow – A5 to A15)

Figure 50 - Section A05 -A06 as seen in the landscape - Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow)
Figure 50 – Section A05 -A06 as seen in the landscape – Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow)

 

Name (Section)Chapelhouse Wood, 240m west of the Recreation Ground (A05)
HE:1020639Width(m)Hght/Dth(m)Length(m)
Bank10 – 120.5 – 1.6376
Ditch (facing)10.4NW & SE
Gap/Spring/Quarry104

GE Map

1020639 - Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) - GE
1020639 – Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) – GE

OS Map

1020639 - Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) - os
1020639 – Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) – OS

LiDAR Map

1020639 - Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) - lidar
1020639 – Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) – 1800s

1800s Map

1020639 - Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) - 1800
1020639 – Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) – Lidar

In this 376m long section, the Dyke is visible as a bank with a ditch and counterscarp bank to the west and shallow quarry pits to the east.

The bank is between 10m and 12m wide at its base and stands to a maximum height of 1.6m on its western face and 0.5m on its eastern face. To the west of the bank is a ditch, approximately 1m wide and up to 0.4m deep.

The ditch is only visible at the southern end of the section, the stretch to the north having become infilled over time. It will, however, survive as a buried feature.

To the west of the ditch is a counterscarp bank, also only visible at the southern end of the section, which is about 4m wide and 0.4m high.

To the east of the main bank, a contiguous row of quarry pits is visible, surviving to a maximum depth of 1.5m and to a width of 6m.  – Historic England.

Conclusion

The ditch is almost non-existent at this point, although the bank is extensive and of standard width.  This is compounded as the 1800 OS map places the Dyke heading for the two large quarry pits south of the LiDAR map.

The “contiguous row of quarry pits” suggests that this is a later connecting road used to connect the Dykes banks following the path of the river to the quarry pits, which in turn become part of the even later Roman Road, which intersects the earthwork’s bank further south of this Section.

Are we seeing why the Dyke was built initially – to connect to the Quarry pits, which then became a road when the canal dried up?

Figure 51 – Looks more like a raised path with drainage and content pits on both sides?

HE:1004858 – Lancaut Promontory Fort

Name (Section)Lancaut promontory fort, 60m ditch and bank (A06)
HE:1004858Width(m)Hght/Dth(m)Length(m)
Bank10 – 122267
Ditch (facing)182.5ENE
Gap/Spring/Quarry103

GE Map

1004858 - Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) - GE
1004858 – Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) – GE

OS Map

1004858 - Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) - os
1004858 – Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) – OS

1800 Map

1004858 - Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) - 1800
1004858 – Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) – 1800s

Lidar Map

1004858 - Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) - lidar
1004858 – Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) – lidar

“The monument includes a promontory fort and part of the medieval frontier defence known as Offa’s Dyke situated on an extremely steeply sloping spur formed by a meander in the River Wye.

The fort survives as a roughly triangular shaped enclosure defined on two sides by steep natural valley scarps and on the landward side by an outer multivallate defence of two concentric rampart banks standing up to 2m high with accompanying ditches up to 2.5m deep and with an outer partial counterscarp bank.

These earthworks are of Iron Age origin but were re-used to form part of Offa’s Dyke in the early medieval period. An inner rampart lies to the west at the narrowest point across the promontory and survives as a bank standing up to 1.4m high with a largely buried outer ditch”. – Historic England

Other sources Suggest:

“300m further to the west is the possible earlier phase of defences to the fort, or perhaps a second line of defence. This can be seen as an earthwork bank on aerial photographs, and measures 50m long. Other features were visible on aerial photographs between the two sets of possible defences. These included a roughly north-south aligned bank, 60m long.

Two further banks aligned NW-SE, each with an ditch on the east side and measure 20m and 18m long respectively. It is possible that these banks are simply Medieval or Post Medieval boundaries, but they could have earlier, possibly late prehistoric, origins and could relate to the fortifications. A small quarry, of uncertain date, and measures 17m across. A large roughly triangular mound is visible along the north side of Lancaut Lane just to the west of where the lane passes through the defences.

The mound measures 65m by 24m at its widest and longest parts and may relate to the construction of the road.

Although, the eastern aspect and the construction of the defences suggest that it has late prehistoric origins it is still likely that they formed part of the defence line known as Offa’s Dyke.

Conclusion

It is quite possible that an additional bank was added at a later date – but looking at the 1800s OS Map, it looks like a classic ‘cross-dyke’ cutting the corner of the River Wye – whether that could be called a part of Offa’s Dyke as we are seeing is questionable, as the northern end of the Dyke heads directly for the River and not around the cliff edge as ‘suggested’.

Figure 52 - Classic 'Cross Dyke' between two water sources as seen throughout Britain
Figure 52 – Classic ‘Cross Dyke’ between two water sources as seen throughout Britain

1020607 – Danehill Wood

Name (Section)Danehill Wood, 300m west of East Vaga (A07)
1020607Width(m)Hght/Dth(m)Length(m)
Bank163.5903
Ditch (facing)6 – 81ENE – SE
Gap/Spring/Quary123

GE Map

1020607 - Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) - GE
1020607 – Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) – GE

OS Map

1020607 - Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) - os
1020607 – Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) – OS

1800 Map

1020607 - Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) - 1800
1020607 – Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) – 1800s

Lidar Map

1020607 - Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) - lidar
1020607 – Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) – Lidar

“In this 903m long section the Dyke is visible as a bank with a berm and short section of counterscarp bank to the west and contiguous quarry pits to the east.

The bank is a maximum of 16m wide at its base, standing to 3.5m high on its western face and 1m high on its eastern face. The berm marks a break in slope between the western face of the bank and the natural slope of the hill and is up to 4m wide.

Towards the southern end of the section a counterscarp bank approximately 0.4m high is visible. The quarry pits are between 6m and 8m wide and about 1m deep.

There is a drystone wall to the east of this scheduling, thought to have been built during the 19th century, which marks the line of an old boundary and which now revets part of the monument.

There is a gap in the monument at the northern end of the scheduling at Ordnance Survey NGR ST55069833, which allows access for vehicles to Tintern Quarry to the west of the Dyke. Although the bank has been levelled, evidence for the Dyke’s quarries is visible to the east of the cut. The break is not thought to be the site of an original access point through the monument. To the south of this section, below Dennel Hill, the line of the Dyke has been destroyed by post-medieval quarrying”. – Historic England

Conclusion

We see again the connection of the Dyke with quarry pits in this section – the idea of it being a border marker is also called into question as it’s a cliff face by the River, and the River would have been a better marker than a bank on top of a hill.

The massive gaps should also be noticed in this section as there was a gap of 1.1 km between the two sections of Offa’s Dyke, which again suggests that this was never constructed as a ‘defensive’ earthwork as presented by revered archaeologists of the past such as Fox.

1020606 – Boatwood Plantation

Name (Section)Boatwood Plantation, 320m south west of Chase Farm (A08)
1020606Width(m)Hght/Dth(m)Length(m)
Bank170.8 – 3.5364
Ditch (facing)101NNE
Gap/Spring/Quarry0011

GE Map

1020606 - Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) - ge
1020606 – Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) – GE

OS Map

1020606 - Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) - OS
1020606 – Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) – OS

LiDAR Map

1020606 - Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) - lidar
1020606 – Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) – Lidar

1800 Map

1020606 - Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) - 1800
1020606 – Offa’s Dyke (Chepstow) – 1800s

“This 364m long section of the Dyke turns from its usual alignment to run north west-south east. It is visible as a bank with a berm on its south side and contiguous quarry pits to the north.

The bank is up to 17m wide at its base and stands to between 2.5m and 3.5m high on its southern face and to between 0.8m and 1.8m on its northern face.

The berm is about 2m wide and represents an artificial break in slope at the base of the earthen bank. The quarries are up to 10m wide and about 1m deep.

A stone boundary wall, which is thought to date from the mid to late 19th century, runs along the top of the bank throughout the length of this scheduling.

There is a gap in the Dyke at Ordnance Survey NGR ST54929845 formed by the cutting of a forestry access road, material from which was thrown up to form a bund. It is not thought to represent an original crossing point through the monument.” – Historic England

Conclusion

The Dyke loses its structure down the river valley, and the ditch moves to the other side of the Dyke, again indicating that it was not used as a defensive earthwork.

Quarries are all around this section indicating the use and function of this Dyke in the past – further investigation needs to be made to understand the dates of these quarries to see if they are Prehistoric, Roman or both.

            To survey this Offa’s Dyke successfully, we need to link to other historic providers’ information and maps. To do this with relevant accuracy, we need to establish a grid system that looks at all the LiDAR, Satellite photography, Old OS maps and excavation evidence to draw new conclusions about the construction of Offa’s Dyke.

Therefore, we have subdivided Offa’s Dyke into five sections and named them A to E – each Section is not equally divided but edited by the breaks within the Dyke. We have named these sections from South to North, which is a bit different from the norm, but in archaeology, information is the best way to approach Offa’s Dyke as you will find when you get to Section E.

These grid sections include the  OS 1800 Map edition (for historical accurately, as new developments are not included), Google Earth Maps (showing Historic England Scheduled Areas and References) and our LiDAR (hi-resolution) maps, which are unique in their clarity and ease of landscape interpretation.

            We will also give you a complete overview of the Dyke by section before the detailed analysis within the appendices.  This will provide you with an understanding of the Dykes construction phases and function, allowing you to understand better how we came to our conclusions about Offa’s Dyke and when it was constructed.

Blank bookcover with clipping path

This was an extracts from the NEW Book Ancient Prehistoric Canals (Dykes) – Wansdyke available on Amazon as a FULL COLOUR HARD BACK (£49.95) or a ECONOMY (£9.99) SOFTBACK black and white VERSION – it is also available as a KINDLE (£2.99) book. For further information about our work on Prehistoric Britain visit our WEBSITE or VIDEO CHANNEL.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BQG7G6CJ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (24 Nov. 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 443 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8370198236
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.24 x 3.33 x 22.86 cm
  • Illustrations: 350+

Further Reading

For those interested in British Prehistory, visit www.prehistoric-britain.co.uk, a comprehensive resource featuring an extensive collection of archaeology articles, modern LiDAR investigations, and groundbreaking research. The site also includes insights and extracts from the acclaimed Robert John Langdon Trilogy, a series of books exploring Britain during the Prehistoric period. Titles in the trilogy include The Stonehenge Enigma, Dawn of the Lost Civilisation, and The Post Glacial Flooding Hypothesis, offering compelling evidence about ancient landscapes shaped by post-glacial flooding.

To further explore these topics, Robert John Langdon has developed a dedicated YouTube channel featuring over 100 video documentaries and investigations that complement the trilogy. Notable discoveries and studies showcased on the channel include 13 Things that Don’t Make Sense in History and the revelation of Silbury Avenue – The Lost Stone Avenue, a rediscovered prehistoric feature at Avebury, Wiltshire.

In addition to his main works, Langdon has released a series of shorter, accessible publications, ideal for readers delving into specific topics. These include:

For active discussions and updates on the trilogy’s findings and recent LiDAR investigations, join our vibrant community on Facebook. Engage with like-minded enthusiasts by leaving a message or contributing to debates in our Facebook Group.

Whether through the books, the website, or interactive videos, we aim to provide a deeper understanding of Britain’s fascinating prehistoric past. We encourage you to explore these resources and uncover the mysteries of ancient landscapes through the lens of modern archaeology.

For more information, including chapter extracts and related publications, visit the Robert John Langdon Author Page. Dive into works such as The Stonehenge Enigma or Dawn of the Lost Civilisation, and explore cutting-edge theories that challenge traditional historical narratives.(Blackhenge: Debunking the Media misinterpretation of the Stonehenge Builders)


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