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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