Bokerley Dyke
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Bokerley Dyke, Bokerly Dyke,<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":1">Template:Cite book</ref> Bokerley Ditch, is a linear earthwork Template:Convert long on Cranborne Chase in Dorset, partially running along the county's border with Hampshire between Woodyates and Martin.<ref name=he>Template:National Heritage List for England</ref> It is part of a Scheduled Monument together with Grim's Ditch and other associated earthworks.<ref name=he/>
Bokerley Dyke was excavated by Augustus Pitt Rivers between 1888 and 1891<ref name=":1" /> and by Philip Rahtz<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> in advance of road widening in 1958. Bokerley Dyke may have originated in the Bronze Age or Early Iron Age and formed a political and cultural boundary.<ref name="pastscape">Bokerley Dyke Template:Webarchive, Pastscape</ref> It was cut through by a Roman Road (Ackling Dyke running between Old Sarum and Badbury Rings) in the 1st century.<ref name="pastscape"/>
In the 4th century it was remodelled and brought back into use, and excavations show that the Roman road was blocked.<ref name="pastscape"/><ref name="putnam">Bill Putnam, (2000), Discover Dorset: The Romans, page 71. The Dovecote Press</ref> A coin of Valens dates this activity to shortly after 364 AD.<ref name="pastscape"/> It may have been built in 367-8 AD when Roman sources report that Britain was attacked by Picts, Scots and Saxons in a supposed Great Conspiracy.<ref name="putnam"/> The Roman road was later reopened, but the dyke may have continued in use after the cessation of the Roman rule and still forms part of a boundary between the counties of Dorset and Hampshire.<ref name="pastscape"/>
Bokerley Dyke runs through Martin and Tidpit Downs, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and it is continuous with Grim's Ditch.