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A lynchet is a bank of earth that builds up on the downslope of a field ploughed over a long period of time. The disturbed soil slips down the hillside to create a lynchet They are also referred to as strip lynchets.
They are a feature of ancient field systems such as the Celtic field systems. Some believe that they were passively formed under the long-term action of gravity and weathering (soil creep) on the loosened soil of a ploughed slope, while others believe they may have been intentionally formed, to prevent erosion and slippage of the ploughed slope.



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