The site known as Gammel Hestehave is designated as a national attraction located in the Svendborg Municipality, under the administrative responsibility of Arkæologi Sydfyn. The site was granted protected status in 1937 or later.
The primary ancient monument described is a Round Mound (Rundhøj), dated to the bronze age. This well-preserved mound is considered one of the best preserved and clearly visible burial mounds in the area. It is recognized as an ancient monument of national significance.
The mound is generally described as being well-preserved.
It is described with dimensions of 2 x 22 metres. Specifically, it has a height of 2 metres and a diameter of 22 metres.
An additional survey in 1983 noted the mound measures 2.0 x 18.0 x 18.0 metres and is without visible stones.
The mound is part of a notable mound group. It is one of four burial mounds that are clearly visible. The site also includes a small cluster of three other small mounds that are only visible as small hills in the landscape.
The vegetation includes being planted with young fruit trees and being covered with oak scrub. As of 1983, it was noted to have deciduous trees, and a large tree grows on one side of the burial mound.
The monument has been subject to various investigations and supervisions:
In 1947, activities included museal survey), registration, and observations regarding cultivation/agriculture and forestry conducted by the Nationalmuseet, Danske Afd., Danmarks Oldtid. A new survey of the protected localities was carried out in 1983 by Skov- og Naturstyrelsen.
Museum Odense conducted periodic supervision of the protected locality in 2009 and 2019, confirming that the ancient monument was found as described.
In 2010, new dissemination in the form of signage was implemented at the locality as part of the project “Danmarks Oldtid i Landskabet” (Denmark’s Antiquity in the Landscape), managed by Kulturstyrelsen.
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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. Furthermore, there are explanatory signs and benches to sit on.
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