 Many writers have followed the archaeologist Major Gordon Fowler's preference for the word "roddon" to define such structures though modern researchers suggest the word "rodham" is the more correct local word.Oak preserved in peat through which roddons passed has been dated to around 4000 years before present (BP).The origin of the raised nature of a roddon is debated; some writers suggest this is due to a silt build-up during marine incursion.