There are close to 350 prehistoric barrows on the Isle of Wight, but Island Echo takes a look at a handful as part of the latest in the Secret Isle of Wight heritage series…
The Longstone at Mottistone, a long barrow on Afton Down and a mortuary enclosure on Tennyson Down – date from the Neolithic period or New Stone Age (from around 4,000 to 2,300 BC).
The Isle of Wight has numerous Bronze Age (approximately 2,300 to 800 BC) round barrows. Over 240 sites have been discovered, mainly on the chalk downs although there may once have been as many as 400.
Some believe ancient monuments such as barrows align to form ley lines, although this belief is controversial and not necessarily accepted by mainstream archaeologists.
Theories of ley lines – straight tracks across the landscape – were first proposed by antiquarian Alfred Watkins in the 1920s. He believed that these were the trade routes of ancient British societies.
Later, during the 1960s, the idea of ley lines was taken up by the Earth Mysteries movement. Ley hunters believed they could reconnect with prehistoric earth energies by means of such lines.
The Isle of Wight is of great significance for those with a belief in ley line theories. One of the most significant ley lines in England – the Belinus Line – is said to begin its journey at Sandown.
It is claimed that our diamond shaped island has a ridge of hills – on which the barrows are situated – in the form of a serpent. For ley line theorists, the Isle of Wight connects male and female currents with prehistoric sites to create a nexus integral to the energy matrix of Britain.
The Longstone
The most impressive ancient barrow on the Isle of Wight is the Longstone above Mottistone Manor.
This site is thought to date from the Neolithic (New Stone Age) era and archaeologists believe that the Longstone was an earthen long barrow (burial mound) with a stone entrance.
The Longstone is steeped in mystery and legend. It is believed to have been erected around 2500 BC and served as a ritualistic or ceremonial site in ancient times. Its imposing presence against a backdrop of rolling hills makes it a must-visit for the curious.
Sadly, the barrow is long gone, having been looted over the centuries. However, 2 large blocks of local greensand – one upright and the other lying on the ground next to it – are believed to be the remains of its entrance.
The Longstone is easy to access. There is a small National Trust car park on Strawberry Lane, with signposted walk to get there.
Further information on the Longstone may be found in the following Island Echo article.
The Tennyson Down Burial Mound
This burial mound – perched atop windswept Tennyson Down – is a further barrow steeped in myth and history.
This Neolithic barrow is believed to have been the final resting place for an important personage of the Neolithic period.
It was first investigated by the Reverend John Skinner in 1817, who found 2 burial urns. In 1989, a sample of wood charcoal found at the site gave it a date of between 2,895 and 2,290 BC, making the site well over 4,000 years old.
Its strategic location of the barrow offers breath taking panoramic views of the Island’s coastline. Its top is marked by a military block, surrounding which is the stone of the original barrow.
Michael Morey’s Hump
Michael Morey’s Hump (one of two barrows) is located on the Downs Road a little to the west of the Hare and Hounds pub and above a quarry.
The hump had been plundered by medieval treasure hunters but was excavated by archaeologists in 1956.
The excavations showed the site was originally occupied in Neolithic times, judging from the broken pottery discovered there. Later, the archaeologists discovered an occupant – a middle-aged woman at the time of her death. Analysis of a bead found beside her gave 1300 BC as the approximate date of her death.
A further body of an adolescent girl was later found at the site, possibly dating from Saxon times.
The area was regarded as a cursed spot by Christians, and a gibbet was placed there. It is known as Michael Morey’s Hump after a local murderer whose body was displayed there as a warning to others.
Brook Down Five Barrows
The Five Barrows on the down make for an impressive, iconic site, from which you can see the Solent to the north and the English Channel to the south.
Although described as ‘Five Barrows”, there are 9 in total: a disc barrow, 7 bowl barrows and a bell barrow. These form part of the sacred landscape that runs across the ridge of chalk downland through the centre of the Island.
The barrows – dating from the Bronze Age – were excavated by John Dennett (the inventor of Dennett’s rocket) between 1816 and 1840.
The Five Barrows loom over a further barrow complex at Pay Down. They are a steep half-a-mile climb from parking off the B3399.
