The Linear Earthworks of Cornwall: What if They Were Early Medieval?

Erik Grigg

Abstract


This article examines various linear earthworks in Cornwall that may date to the early medieval period. The dating evidence for the earthworks is discussed. While incontrovertible evidence for when they were built is lacking, the article asks how they might fit into the early medieval period if that is when most or all of them were built. The article postulates that they may have provided refuges against raiding, probably from the kingdom of Wessex in the eighth and ninth century, so allowing the Cornish to preserve their distinctive identity and language until the modern era (Padel 2017).

Keywords


Cornwall; dykes; warfare; dating; identity

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23914/odj.v5i0.7732

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