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Summary

A cross-ridge dyke of possible Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age date was identified as an earthwork bank and ditch crossing Haldon Ridge south of Haldon Belvedere during a site visit in 2018. Subsequent earthwork survey recorded a bank and ditch with a slighter outer bank and the very slight remains of a possible inner ditch and bank at the northwest end. The earthworks are clearly defined on images derived from lidar data captured in 2021 and can be seen to comprise two parallel banks and flanking ditches, the southernmost ditch near levelled. A modern septic tank has been constructed across the earthworks.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• CROSS DYKE (Early Neolithic to Early Medieval - 4000 BC (Between) to 1399 AD (Between))

Full description

Gent, T. H. + Quinnel, H., 1999, Salvage Recording on the Neolithic Site at Haldon Belvedere (Article in Serial). SDV366422.

The revised and final location of a septic tank associated with updated services to Haldon Belvedere is illustrated, in the general location of the cross ridge dyke earthworks (Fig.2).

Rainbird, P., 2019, Earthworks Uncovered at Haldon Belvedere, 4; Fig (Article in Serial). SDV366331.

Lidar images and earthwork survey by AC Archaeology recorded the presence of a cross-ridge dyke crossing the ridge just above its narrowest point to the south of the Belvedere – effectively cutting off the west end of the Haldon Hills at its highest point. It is traceable for 55m, before being lost in vegetation at the east end. It comprises a bank up to 10m wide, a 5m wide ditch and a slighter outer bank. The earthwork is clear to the naked eye although the inner bank stands only to a maximum of approximately 1m above the ditch base. The very slight remains of a possible further inner ditch and bank were observed at the northwest end of the dyke.
During restoration of the Belvedere in 1994-5 a septic tank was placed centrally within the ditch of the earthwork.

Environment Agency, 2021, University of Exeter Understanding Landscapes Project - Lidar visualisation (Cartographic). SDV366001.

Two cross-ridge banks and accompanying ditches are visible as earthworks, crossing the north-west end of Haldon Ridge approximate 95m to 130m south-east of Haldon Belvedere.

Hegarty, C., 2025, Comment on Unlocking Landscapes project and related lidar and aerial photograph interpretations (Interpretation). SDV366411.

Two cross-ridge banks and accompanying ditches are visible as slight but well-defined earthworks, crossing the north-west end of Haldon Ridge approximately 110m south-east of Haldon Belvedere. The banks are approximately 7m wide and cross Haldon Ridge on a south-west to north-east alignment for roughly 55m, from circa SX8751886027 to SX8758086052. They are separated by a ditch approximately 8m wide, and a ditch of similar width is visible to the north of the northernmost bank. A very slight hollow might be the remnants of a similar ditch flanking the southernmost bank. The location of a modern septic tank can be identified crossing both banks and disturbing the northernmost ditch. Although poorly understood cross ridge dykes in southern Britain are thought to date to the Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age.

Horner, B., 2025, Lidar interpretation (Personal Comment). SDV366415.

The cross-ridge dyke is clearly visible. The septic tank associated with 1990s services upgrades is also visible (see Gent & Quinnell, SDV366422).

Bill Horner, 2025, Personal communication (Personal Comment). SDV366421.

Cross-ridge dyke earthworks identifiedby B. Horner during a 2018 field visit.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV9176 - Earthwork Survey: Haldon Belvedere

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