Principal Archaeological Landscape: Chapman and Woodbarrow complex (3)
Authority | Exmoor National Park Authority |
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Date assigned | 01 January 2011 |
Date last amended | |
Date revoked |
Location
This is an elevated moorland ridg e running from Two Gates to the west, as far as Wood Barrow in the east. The area has outstanding panoramic views southwards to Dartmoor, south-westwards to Bodmin, westwards to Lundy Island, Hartland Point and Barnstaple Bay, northwards to the coast of south Wales and eastwards across Exmoor as far as Dunkery Beacon. Two deep combes run into the ridge, one from the north at Woodbarrow Hangings and the other from the south near Swincombe Rocks.
Description of Archaeology
The area contains two linear barrow cemeteries presumably of early Bronze Age date. The first cemetery is the Chapman Barrows and the second comprises Longstone Barrow stretching eastwards to Wood Barrow. These barrow groups form striking and prominent features in the landscape; several have been subject to antiquarian excavation (which is unusual on Exmoor), providing some limited insights into the nature of their below ground archaeology.
As well as the barrows, the area contains one stone setting and the iconic Long Stone, the largest prehistoric standing stone on Exmoor. There is also a probable late Neolithic mortuary enclosure lying between the highest of the Chapman Barrows and the Long Stone.
Principal significance
This is one of the most significant prehistoric landscapes on Exmoor. This is due to the excellent preservation of the barrow cemeteries and their completeness, the insights provided by antiquarian excavations, the presence of lithic monuments and the mortuary enclosure.
External Links (0)
Sources (5)
- Artwork: Davey, L.. 2013. Challacombe Common, Exmoor: Painting of the Long Stone. Watercolour. (SEM8044)
- Artwork: Lorimer, P.. 2013. Chapman Barrows: Digital reconstruction drawing. Digital. (SEM8031)
- Monograph: Balmond, F.. 2015. Principal Archaeological Landscapes on Moorland in Exmoor National Park: Assessment and condition survey. Exmoor National Park Authority. 1st Edition. (SEM8201)
- Report: Mitcham, Doug. 2014. Geophysical surveys of a rectangular enclosure and stone setting on Challacombe Common, Exmoor National Park. (SEM8269)
- Technical drawing: Riley, H.. 2009. Enclosure on Challacombe Common, Earthwork Survey. 1:500. (SEM7547)
Location
Grid reference | Centred SS 7048 4290 (2664m by 1293m) |
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Map sheet | SS74SW |
Related Monuments/Buildings (34)
- Bronze Age barrow west of Wood Barrow (Monument) (MMO498)
- Chapman Barrows on the Parracombe/Challacombe Parish Boundary (Monument) (MDE1061)
- Disproved barrows southwest of Woodbarrow Gate (Non-antiquity) (MDE1315)
- Exmoor Royal Forest (Monument) (MEM22088)
- Longstone Barrow, Challacombe Common (Monument) (MDE1281)
- Memorial stone on Challacombe Common (Monument) (MDE20897)
- Mortuary enclosure east of the Chapman Barrows (Monument) (MDE12830)
- Mounds to southeast of barrow 7, Chapman Barrows (Monument) (MDE20429)
- Natural mound southwest of stone setting (Non-antiquity) (MDE1316)
- Parracombe Common (Place) (MDE20918)
- Possible barrow east of Longstone Barrow (Monument) (MDE12837)
- Possible barrow southeast of Longstone Barrow (Monument) (MDE12839)
- Possible Bronze Age barrow near the Chapman Barrows (Monument) (MDE20428)
- Possible Bronze Age barrow west of the Long Stone (Monument) (MDE12840)
- Possible Bronze Age cairn south of Woodbarrow Hangings (Monument) (MDE12842)
- Possible feature north of Yarbury Combe Head (Monument) (MDE12863)
- Possible linear earthwork north of Longstone Barrow (Monument) (MDE12861)
- Possible low ring bank north of Wood Barrow (Monument) (MDE12845)
- Possible prehistoric cairn on Challacombe Common (Monument) (MEM23348)
- Possible prehistoric spread cairns on Challacombe (Monument) (MEM23347)
- Post-medieval field boundaries on Challacombe Common (Monument) (MDE12844)
- Post-medieval quarrying on Challacombe Common (Monument) (MDE21187)
- Post-medieval turf stack south of the Chapman Barows (Monument) (MEM23332)
- Prehistoric quincunx above the River Bray (Monument) (MDE1044)
- Prehistoric quincunx near Woodbarrow Hangings (Monument) (MDE1285)
- Prehistoric rectangular stone setting on North Regis Common (Monument) (MDE1319)
- Prehistoric stone setting southwest of Longstone Barrow (Monument) (MDE1317)
- Radworthy deserted settlement and field system (Monument) (MDE10873)
- The Long Stone, Challacombe Common (Monument) (MDE1280)
- Three barrows and a possible cairn on Challacombe Common (Monument) (MDE1282)
- Trackway on western boundary of Exmoor Forest (Monument) (MMO495)
- Two Bronze Age barrows north of Longstone Barrow (Monument) (MDE20802)
- Two mounds southeast of Long Stone (Monument) (MDE8976)
- Wood Barrow on the Devon/Somerset County Boundary (Monument) (MDE1283)