The Gammel Hestehave site is classified as a national heritage attraction located in the Svendborg Municipality, Denmark.
One specific mound, Gammel Hestehave Mound 41179, is associated with the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. It is situated in Fyn, near the town of Svendborg, and its specific monument number is 41179. The site is dated to the bronze age. It has been a protected monument since 1937 or later, and in 2010, it was specifically designated as an ancient monument of national significance.
The documentation highlights that the burial mound is part of a larger, noteworthy group of mounds. Archaeological monitoring and administrative oversight are managed by institutions such as Arkæologi Sydfyn, Museum Odense (for periodic supervision in 2009 and 2019), and the Slots- og Kulturstyrelsen.
The mound has been surveyed multiple times throughout the 20th century:
1947 Description: The mound was recorded as being 2 meters high by 20 meters in diameter. It was generally considered well-preserved, although there was a minor depression (sænkning) in the top and it was planted with young fruit trees. It was grass-grown, and a kerbstone (randsten) was visible towards the South.
1983 Description: A re-survey noted slightly larger dimensions: 2.2 meters high by 24.0 x 24.0 meters. At this time, it was located in a communal park area. Features included an older crater in the top that had been filled in, a faintly discernible plundering hole south of the top, and several stones visible on the surface. The vegetation included deciduous trees.
The mound is described as the westernmost mound in the group and is relatively isolated from the others, situated on the opposite side of the footpath. A key distinguishing feature of Mound 41179 is that it still possesses a large kerbstone in place at its southern foot, a characteristic noted as being unlike the other nearby mounds. Although not as large as the three other well-preserved mounds in the area, the mound is still clearly visible.
The site is surrounded by many other archaeological features within a short distance, including other round barrows, a Cist (Stenkiste), and an example of Rock Art (Æbleskivestenen).
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The Bronze Age landscape at Gammel Hestehave has long held a special attraction for prehistoric people. The first settlements were established along the coastline 5,000 years ago. During the late Stone Age and the early Bronze Age (1900–1100 BC), the settlements relocated slightly further inland, and this period provides the clearest evidence of the area’s importance.
The Monumental Landscape
The Gl. Hestehave settlement was an important meeting place and a crucial community (bygd) located by the Svendborg Sound, overlooking the islands Thurø and Tåsinge.
During the early Bronze Age (1700–1100 BC), a burial field was constructed, containing 23 burial mounds (gravhøje) of varying sizes.
In the Bronze Age, the area was open countryside, allowing the mounds to be seen from far and wide, including Thurø, Tåsinge, and the entire Svendborg Sound. Today, some mounds are partially hidden by forest, but the magic of the monumental Bronze Age landscape can still be sensed.
The mounds were the setting for a village community.
Building the mounds was a labor-intensive process that extended over a long period, meaning that the construction and burials were a shared undertaking for the entire community. The mounds were likely built on pasture and constructed from carefully cut grass turf. The largest mounds required tens of thousands of turf squares, resulting in the surrounding land being infertile for a long time after construction.
The largest of the 23 mounds are about 4 meters high with diameters between 25 and 30 meters, while the smallest vary between 0.5 and 1.5 meters high and measure 12 to 20 meters in diameter.
These large burial mounds were built over one, two, or more graves, though none have been professionally examined to confirm the exact number. In addition to the mounds, the area contains a small stone cist and a cup mark stone (“Æbleskivestenen”) featuring carved holy signs.
Bronze Age Society and Culture
The building of thousands of enormous burial mounds in Denmark was a distinct expression of the superior skills of the new Bronze Age society.
This period, which began in Denmark 4,000 years ago saw the emergence of ranked societies in Southern Scandinavia and Central Europe. Power and status were demonstrated through gold and bronze.
Fine weaponry and jewelry followed chosen men and women to their graves.
Never before had such riches been placed in the ground as grave goods for the dead and sacrificial offerings to the powers responsible for fertility. Some mounds were constructed in a manner that preserved the deceased’s chest, leading to Denmark possessing a unique collection of 3,800-year-old costumes, including tunics and cloaks for men and short or long dresses with blouses for women.
The settlement at Gl. Hestehave was involved in European trade, as people sailed out to deal with continental contacts. Exotic acquisitions, such as harness decorations, may have been displayed during special events and processions. The area also functioned as a casting site, where a large crucible and remains of several casting molds have been found. Bronze casting technology was advanced, involving stamping the metal pieces in a wax model, which was then covered with a clay mold. The wax melted out, leaving an imprint for the liquid bronze to fill.
New building practices arose, with people mainly living on scattered, individual farmsteads.
Some longhouses were very large, up to 500 square meters, potentially housing leading families of the community.
Today the area is used for recreational purposes such as dog walking and hiking. There are also mountain bike trails in the forest.
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