The Longstone, Mottistone

The Longstone is a megalithic monument near the village of Mottistone, in the civil parish of Brighstone, close to the south west coast of the Isle of Wight [1]. It is the only megalithic monument on the Island [1]. The Longstone consists of two pieces of local greensand sandstone probably from a vein 100 metres away [1]. The larger stands at 3.9 metres and the smaller lies at its foot [1]. The stones are associated with a narrow mound 21 metres long, which runs from them to the west [1]. In September 1956, excavations by C.N. Hawkes appeared to confirm that this was the remains of a long barrow, so that the stones may be the remains of an entrance [1]. Although dating is difficult, pottery excavated in 1956 indicates that the mound (and therefore probably the stones also) are Neolithic [1].