Crooked Rampart

Why is the Crooked Rampart crooked?

The constructors of the Danevirke took advantage of strategic landscape features by incorporating natural obstacles such as marshes and lakes. This stretch of the earthwork follows the curved course of a river’s floodplain, hence the name: Crooked Rampart. It is ca.1300 years old. Much of the Danevirke east of here is strongly fortified by high banks. Further west the rampart flattens to a low dyke. Near Hollingstedt it is no longer visible.

The reason for the difference is unknown. The trade route linking the Viking-Age commercial centre of Hedeby with Hollingstedt ran to the north of the rampart. From Hollingstedt, travellers reached the North Sea via the Treene and Eider rivers. This is the shortest route between the seas. Archaeological evidence of the trade route and of a Viking Age setlement has been found just a few kilometres to the north near Ellingstedt. A wide ledge is visible along the base of the north slope of the Crooked Rampart. Could this have been another track for patrolling the frontier?


Further information at: www.kuladig.de

 
 

◄ Ellingstedt

UNESCO Welterbe Danewerk

► The Main Rampart

UNESCO Welterbe Danewerk
 
 
 

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Why is the Crooked Rampart crooked?

The constructors of the Danevirke took advantage of strategic landscape features by incorporating natural obstacles such as marshes and lakes. This stretch of the earthwork follows the curved course of a river’s floodplain, hence the name: Crooked Rampart. It is ca.1300 years old. Much of the Danevirke east of here is strongly fortified by high banks. Further west the rampart flattens to a low dyke. Near Hollingstedt it is no longer visible.

The reason for the difference is unknown. The trade route linking the Viking-Age commercial centre of Hedeby with Hollingstedt ran to the north of the rampart. From Hollingstedt, travellers reached the North Sea via the Treene and Eider rivers. This is the shortest route between the seas. Archaeological evidence of the trade route and of a Viking Age setlement has been found just a few kilometres to the north near Ellingstedt. A wide ledge is visible along the base of the north slope of the Crooked Rampart. Could this have been another track for patrolling the frontier?


Further information at: www.kuladig.de