[2][3] It crosses, at right angles, an ancient road that continues on to the former island of dry land in the Somerset levels surrounding Glastonbury Tor.

Neither excavation found significant objects with the exception of fragmentary pottery of prehistoric and medieval origin.

It has been suggested that it is part of a great Celtic sanctuary, probably 3rd century B.C., while others date it to the post-Roman period and connect it with the Dark Age occupation on Glastonbury Tor.

David Cooper posits that it was the site of the Battle of Posentesbyrg, fought in AD 661 between Cenwalh of Wessex and Wulfhere of Mercia.

[5] Using LiDAR data of the area to simulate rising sea levels suggests the ditch once ran into marshy land (likely prior to the effective digging of drainage channels).