Rammedige
South of Lemvig and close to the North Sea lies Rammedige, a defensive rampart from the Iron Age, probably built in the period between 100 and 400 AD, the Roman Iron Age.
Iron Age defensive fortifications
The rampart, which was up to 4 m wide and 2 m high, runs north-south with a wide and deep ditch along the east side. Originally the rampart was 2-2.5 km long, but today only about 1650 m of it has been preserved. This section is now protected.
Protection from enemies from the east
The defensive rampart covered the stretch between two damp bogs, and on the east side there was a moat and other defensive works. Together, the rampart, moat and bogs have cut off outsiders from entering a large area of land that stretched from the rampart to the North Sea. Behind the protective rampart, the area's residents have been able to live in peace from the enemies who came from the land side.
Burial mounds at Rammedige
The many burial mounds west of Rammedige, where there were originally 60, belong to the Oldtidsvejens højreker. This was probably still in use when Rammedige was built across it much later. In this way, the rampart also blocked the road. During an excavation carried out by Holstebro Museum in 2002, a number of traces of multiple rows of dug round holes were found in a belt along the east side of the moat. Similar finds have been made elsewhere in Denmark, but here for the first time in connection with a rampart. The interpretation of the belt of holes is unclear, but it is largely likely that it was part of the defences.
Reconstruction
In 2011, a reconstruction of the rampart and moat was built, 30 meters long and in full size, and at the same time, the otherwise excavated continuation of the dike to the north was marked by a series of posts. There is a parking lot and information at the reconstructed dike. The dike is a national cultural heritage.
The connection to the geopark
Rammedige will be one of the prominent visitor sites on a future adventure route along the Ancient Road. Furthermore, a Viking market is held every summer, which is organized by a large group of volunteers with support from Lemvig Municipality. The Geopark will support this through participation in the market and by contributing to information material about the site.