Rackham Bank

Description

A prehistoric cross dyke and an associated Itford Hill style settlement situated on a chalk ridge which forms part of the Sussex Downs. The NNE-SSW aligned cross dyke runs for circa 250 metres across the ridge and has a large bank up to circa 3.5 metres high and circa 12 metres wide flanked to the south east by a ditch up to circa 16 metres wide and circa 2 metres deep. Two short sections of the earthworks near each end of the monument have been levelled by long-term use of downland tracks, and a third section near the centre of the dyke has been partly levelled by past modern agricultural activity. The north western edge of the bank has also been partly disturbed by modern ploughing. The associated Itford Hill style settlement abuts the central section of the cross dyke on its north western side. It is represented by an east-west aligned, oval enclosure which survives as an hollow measuring circa 40 metres by circa 25 metres, bisected by a low, north-south aligned bank. Records suggest that the enclosure was originally bounded by a bank and external ditch, although these have been levelled by modern ploughing. Analysis of a pottery sherd discovered during part excavation of the enclosure in 1929 has suggested that the settlement was occupied during the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age. (PastScape)

The cross dyke and Itford Hill style settlement, together known as Rackham Banks, survive well, despite some damage by later trackways and agricultural activity. Part excavation has shown that the settlement contains archaeological and environmental remains relating to its construction and use, and the cross dyke is a particularly impressive and well preserved example of its kind. Rackham Banks forms part of a dispersed group of broadly contemporary monuments situated along the ridge, providing important evidence for the relationship between burial practices, settlement and land division in this area of downland during the later prehistoric period.
The monument includes a prehistoric cross dyke and an associated Itford Hill style settlement situated on a chalk ridge which forms part of the Sussex Downs. The NNE-SSW aligned cross dyke runs for c.250m across the ridge and has a large bank up to c.3.5m high and c.12m wide flanked to the south east by a ditch up to c.16m wide and c.2m deep. Two short sections of the earthworks near each end of the monument have been levelled by long-term use of downland tracks, and a third section near the centre of the dyke has been partly levelled by past modern agricultural activity. The north western edge of the bank has also been partly disturbed by modern ploughing. The associated Itford Hill style settlement abuts the central section of the cross dyke on its north western side. It is represented by an east-west aligned, oval enclosure which survives as a hollow measuring c.40m by c.25m, bisected by a low, north-south aligned bank. Records suggest that the enclosure was originally bounded by a bank and external ditch, although these have been levelled by modern ploughing. Analysis of a pottery sherd discovered during part excavation of the enclosure in 1929 has suggested that the settlement was occupied during the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age. (Scheduling Report)

Comments

Suggested as siegework to Arundel sieges of 1102 and/or 1138, initially by Allcroft and then by King. Position on edge of South Downs, along South Downs Way, prominent and of some strategic value but must have been dry and difficult for mounted troops to use as horses require considerable water. At least five miles from Arundel although the castle is visible from the site (although at this distance nothing of any useful detail would be visible in the days before binoculars). Certainly not built as a siege castle and medieval use is highly unlikely.