Reasons for Designation
Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most examples belonging to the period 2400-1500 BC. They were constructed as earthen or rubble mounds, sometimes ditched, which covered single or multiple burials. They occur either in isolation or grouped as cemeteries and often acted as a focus for burials in later periods. Often superficially similar, although differing widely in size, they exhibit regional variations in form and a diversity of burial practices. Often occupying prominent locations, they are a major historic element in the modern landscape and their considerable variation of form and longevity as a monument type provide important information on the diversity of beliefs and social organisations amongst early prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of their period. Despite partial early excavation, the two bowl barrows survive comparatively well and will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to their construction, relative chronologies, territorial significance, social organisation, ritual and funerary practices and overall landscape context.
Details
The monument, which falls into two areas of protection, includes two bowl barrows, situated on a coastal cliff to the landward side of two distinct projecting promontories known as Lower and Higher Longbeak. The barrows survive as circular stone and earth-built mounds. The quarry ditches, from which the construction material was derived, are preserved as buried features. The southern mound measures 14m in diameter and is 1.1m high. It is steep-sided with a central hollow, possibly the result of antiquarian excavation although no details are known. The barrow has spectacular views across Widemouth Sand. The northern barrow mound is 16m in diameter and 0.7m high. It has hollows to the south and east, also probably caused by earlier excavation.
Sources: HER:-
PastScape Monument No:-31703 and 31706
