Castle Dykes Henge |
Hob Uid: 47204 | |
Location : North Yorkshire Richmondshire Aysgarth
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Grid Ref : SD9823087280 |
Summary : An earthwork sub-circular enclosure, possibly a henge, comprising a well-preserved bank with internal ditch. There is an entrance on the eastern side (facing Pen Hill, the highest point in view), and there are two other gaps in the bank which do not have a corresponding causeway across the ditch. These are presumed to be of recent origin. Maximum external diameter is circa 82 metres. The bank survives to a height of 1.2 metres and is circa 9 metres wide, while the ditch is circa 10.5 metres wide and 1.1 metres deep. A large stone is located on the inside slope of the bank in the south east sector. Apparently, other stones have been removed in the past. It has also been reported that excavation was undertaken at the site in 1908 by Canon Wylie, although no further details are known. The site is scheduled. |
More information : (SD 98238730) Castle Dykes (NR). (1) SD 982873 - Class I henge consisting of an oval enclosure (175 x 195 ft) bounded by a well-preserved ditch and external bank with entrance of E side. Two small gaps in the bank (without corresponding causeways across the ditch) are probably modern and used as an overflow for water collecting in the ditch. There is no sign of any stone structure in the central area. (2) A well preserved Class I henge. Prominently situated at SD 98238728 on the top (though not the summit) of an east to west hill spur. It measures 74.0m east to west by 67.8m north to south between the centres of the bank 9.0m wide and 1.2m high. The ditch, averaging 10.5m wide and 1.1m deep, has been slightly infilled by weathering especially near the entrance, 4.0m wide, in the east which has lessened the profile of the causeway. As suggested two small gaps in the bank in the north east and south are merely mutilation. The level interior is featureless. Surveyed at 1:10 000. (3)
Entry in corpus. Sub-circular enclosure defined by a ditch and outer bank. A large stone is situated on the inside slope of the bank in the SE sector and there are reports of other stones having been removed. Comment: Insufficient information available, but cannot be ruled out as henge-related. (4)
SD 9822 8728. Castle Dykes Henge. Scheduled RSM No 24481. It is reported that an excavation of the site by Canon Wylie took place in 1908, though no positive trace of this survives and the site appears largely undisturbed. (5)
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