More information : A trench was cut through the line of Rudgate (RR 280) in Toulston Park - SE 459422 by H. Ramm in 1962 (see section plans). No trace of the agger was seen but two ditches were revealed, the easternmost of which, 4ft x 2 1/2ft deep, contained sherds of 2nd century pottery in its filling. The other ditch, 16ft to the west, on the line of the road but east of it centre, was larger and rock-cut, 10ft wide and 4 1/2 - 5 ft. deep. The silting lines in the ditch filling implied a bank on the west side. The ditch may be part of a defensive work, facing east, which had utilised the agger of the road as its bank.(1). Ramm later referred to this defensive feature as 'Rudgate Dyke', across one of the Roman roads (RR 729) running west from Tadcaster. He suggested that it could be related to the north-facing South Dyke (LIN 75) and probably represented the forward defences of the early 7th century boundary of Elmet. (2). A further section cut by L. Taylor at SE 45944223 in 1966 was inconclusive but consistent with that dug in 1962. (1). (1-2) No surveyable traces - in crops. (3)
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