New Ditch

New Ditch
Location:	Butleigh, Somerset, England
Coordinates:	51°05′47″N 2°42′37″W / 51.09639°N 2.71028°W / 51.09639; -2.71028Coordinates: 51°05′47″N 2°42′37″W / 51.09639°N 2.71028°W / 51.09639; -2.71028
Scheduled monument
Reference #:	Somerset 447[1]
Location of New Ditch in Somerset

New Ditch is a linear earthwork of possible Iron Age or Medieval construction.^[2] It partially crosses the Polden Hills in woodlands approximately 1.1 miles (1.8 km) south-west from the village of Butleigh in Somerset, England.

Its construction is similar to Ponter's Ball Dyke 3 miles to the northeast, with the dyke on the south east of the embankment, but of less massive construction. Both were probably part of a more extensive defence scheme. It is nearly half a mile in length and was probably of greater extent originally, but as it stands, New Ditch cannot be termed a cross-ridge dyke although it does seem to be a boundary work.^[2]

It is debatable whether this site is ancient because it is located close to a medieval woodland and a deer park.^[1][3]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "New Ditch, Butleigh Wood, Butleigh". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. http://webapp1.somerset.gov.uk/her/details.asp?prn=23193. Retrieved 15 January 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "New Ditch". PastScape. English Heritage. http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=196813&sort=4&search=all&criteria=new%20ditch&rational=q&recordsperpage=10#. Retrieved 15 April 2011. 
3. ^ "Excavation of a Romano-British Site, Butleigh". Absolute Archaeology. http://www.absolutearchaeology.co.uk/Butleigh%20Report%202009%20Season%20%28web%29.pdf. Retrieved 14 April 2011.