“What secrets does the earth hold beneath our feet?” Today we will explore the Prehistoric linear earthwork. This long bank of earth tells a silent tale. It whispers of a time long before written records.
Linear earthworks may have served many purposes. These could be defenses, boundary markers or agricultural divisions. They may have controlled the movement of people and animals. Customs duties might have been levied here. Perhaps the Prehistoric linear earthwork served a combination of these functions.
Consider the effort required to build this structure. People used simple tools to move earth. They created a bank and possibly a ditch. The ditch provided earth for the bank and an extra obstacle. Imagine the community working together. Their purpose remains a mystery today.
Linear earthworks are found worldwide. The earliest example in the United Kingdom dates back to around 3600 BC. The Scots’ Dike was built in 1552. It marked the border between England and Scotland.
The Black Pig’s Dyke in Ireland is an Iron Age example. Offa’s Dyke, Wat’s Dyke and the Wansdyke are early medieval examples. The Antonine Wall is a Roman example. These structures shaped landscapes and lives.
In Africa, the Walls of Benin and Sungbo’s Eredo are also linear earthworks. Parts of the Great Wall of China are built of earth. The Danevirke in Germany and the Götavirke in Sweden are early medieval. The Silesian Walls in Poland and Scots’ Dike were built later.
The Prehistoric linear earthwork stands as a testament to human endeavor. It connects us to our ancestors. It provides a glimpse into their world. This earthwork is more than just a mound of dirt. It is a link to the past. It is a puzzle that continues to intrigue us.
Recent surveys have found new earthworks. These include cropmarks in the lowland. Very few of these have been investigated with excavation. The upland areas in the north contain some of the most remarkable prehistoric landscapes in Scotland.
Imagine the landscape surrounding this Prehistoric linear earthwork. What did it look like thousands of years ago? What purpose did it serve for the people who built it? As we stand here we are connected to a very long and mysterious past.