Although its precise original purpose is debated,
The structure did not represent a mutually agreed boundary between the Mercians and the Kingdom of Powys. It had a ditch on the Welsh (western) side, with the displaced soil piled into a bank on the Mercian (eastern) side.
Throughout its entire length, the Dyke provides an uninterrupted view from Mercia into Wales. Where the earthwork encounters hills or high ground, it passes to the west of them.
Who are these people who are debating what its original purpose was
I thought that the usual catch all explanation was that it probably had a religious purpose anyway.
Maybe I’ll put a little <who?> tag in there 🤔
Honestly I thought about it. I feel like that statement and then the individual verified facts that clearly indicate what it was, mean that if maybe someone were to dig into the talk page they’d see a somewhat pointless argument that the current article was the resolution of.
Edit: I am wrong; I have no idea why the article says what it says currently.
Well I could see how they might not debate about the overall purpose, but what kind of strategic value it had. Actual fortification? Raised causeway to enable efficient travel around the border? Continuous observation platform/high ground for defense? But then they should be more specific about what is being debated
Yeah sounds accurate. At the very least, more explanation of “who?” and what the discussion about it is.
Digging a ditch and then a raised thing behind it is best practices for levels 1 through 5 of fortification design for thousands and thousands of years, basically all the way up until firearms. To me it’s weird to see someone find a ditch with a raised thing behind it all along a disputed border and then talking about we’re not sure what could this thing be, but maybe I am missing something
Offa, King of the Britons