More information : [SU 9075 1647]
[SU 9101 1646] Cross Dykes [G.T.] (1)
At the eastern end of Heyshott Down and extending to Graffham
Down, above the 700 ft. contour, a series of banks and ditches
running N-S into Charlton Forest. In all probability they are
late Bronze Age (See AO/LP/61/109 (2)
A series of four LBA cross-ridge dykes cross the crest of the
South Downs from N to S, commencing at the head of precipitous
slopes leading into Coombe Bottom below the N-facing escarpment,
and leading towards or, in the case of the westernmost dyke,
fading out upon, the gentle S-facing dip slope.
'A': SU 90701651 - SU 90681638. 140.0m in length, comprises
a bank 7.0m wide, 0.5m high with a ditch to the W, 7.0m wide,
1.0m deep. Cut by two modern trackways. Destroyed N of the
southern trackway for 20.0m.
'B': SU 90761651-SU 90761644. 70.0m in length, comprises a bank
up to 9.0m wide, 1.0m high with a ditch to the W, 7.0m wide,
0.8m deep. Cut by a trackway.
'C': SU 90821651-SU 90821643. 70.0m in length, comprises a
medial bank 10.0m wide, up to 1.0mm in height, with side
ditches, 6.0m wide, up to 0.5m deep. Now no trace S of a
footpath but probably extended further.
'D': SU 91011653-SU 90991638. 150.0m in length. Comprises three banks with ditches to the W of them. The easternmost bank is
up to 5.0m wide, 0.3m high. The central bank has been remodelled
into a parish boundary bank and there are little more than
traces of the western bank, with a fence upon it. The eastern
ditch is 6.0m wide, 0.5m deep, the centre ditch, 8.0m wide,
up to 1.0m deep, the western ditch, 8.0m wide, up to 1.5m deep.
The two latter ditches have been deepened into holloways; the
centre one still carries a trackway.
The dykes are under rough pasture and light woodland.
Published 1:2500 survey revised. (3)
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