A barrow ditch is a ditch created when dirt is removed to build a raised road or embankment. Specifically, in old England, the term "barrow ditch" refers to the ditches dug alongside roads as the dirt extracted from these ditches was used to build up the road surface, creating a "high way" that was dry. The dirt was often moved using a barrow.
How a Barrow Ditch Was Created:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Identify the Route: Decide where the road or pathway needs to be built. |
| 2 | Dig the Ditches: Workers dig ditches along both sides of the planned roadway. |
| 3 | Transport the Dirt: The excavated dirt is moved by a wheelbarrow up onto the planned road area. |
| 4 | Build the Road: The dirt is used to build up the road surface, creating a raised area. |
Features of a Barrow Ditch:
- Source of Material: The ditches provide the material needed to raise the road.
- Drainage: The ditches can also provide drainage for the raised road.
- Raised Road: The road itself is higher than the surrounding ground, creating a dry path.
Why are Barrow Ditches Important?
- Early Road Construction: They were a common method of road building before more advanced techniques.
- Practical Solution: It used available resources and created a functional and practical road system.
- Water Management: Provided a means to keep roads usable during wet conditions.
The term "barrow ditch" highlights both the method of construction and the purpose it served, connecting it directly to the creation of roadways using basic tools and manual labor.
