Bokerely Ditch

It is believed that Bokerely Ditch originated sometime in the late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age, although the exact date is uncertain. It was probably created to delineate a tribal or cultural boundary, there is evidence of differing practices on either side of the line which lends weight to this hypothesis. It was later cut in the 1st century AD by the Akling Dyke, a Roman road between Sarum and Badury Rings. Although 250 years later the ditch was re-cut, fortified and this time it was the Akling Dyke which was truncated.  This change is attributed to the necessity for defence after the decline of the Roman Empire after AD410 and the treat of foreign incursions, in particular the Saxons.  Even today centuries after it's construction it remains a prominent feature in the landscape, still an impressive defencive structure, about 5m or 6m from the base of the ditch to the top of the bank in places, snaking for some 3.5 miles across Cranborne Chase.