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December 21, 2025
A Bronze Age stone with cup-shaped pitting is located in the west facade of the tower of this Danish church, During the 1884 restoration, the stone could not be removed due to concerns for the tower’s stability. When the facade was moved forward, the stone was almost hidden, so a hole was created to keep it visible. Initially, the stone was believed lost, prompting a search that yielded no results. Later, a showcase was placed over the hole, leading to the stone’s existence being forgotten until its rediscovery in 2004, making it visible once more.
The stone is to the left of the main entrance, above the plinth.
Source:
The book “Kirkerne i Svendborg. Vor Frue Kirke”
Danmarks kirker. Bind 10. Svendborg Amt 1, 4. hefte.
by Marianne Goral Krogh Johansen and Rikke Ilsted Kristiansen
Nationalmuseet 2012
ISBN 978-87-7602-178-8
Cup mark rock carvings
Image credit: Bjørn Houdorf
Map of the circle, on permanent display on the Harris Museum
Image credit: Victoria Carter Clowes
The newly re-opened Harris Museum in Preston has a fabulous display about Bleasdale, featuring the 2 urns and original maps from the excavations. Definitely worth a visit.
Image credit: Victoria Carter Clowes
December 20, 2025
The Græsholmene dolmen, located in the Græsholmene forest in Svendborg, is a Stone Age long dolmen, with its origins dating between 3950 and 2800 BC. The site was reconnoitered by Svendborg Museum in March 2011 as part of a museum reconnaissance, under journal number SOM 427.
The archaeological complex consists of a 30-meter (North-South) by 11-meter (East-West) earth mound, which is 0.6 meters high. It features a collection of large stones arranged in two groups, alongside other large stones situated individually but in close proximity to the main groups. Smaller stones are found along the long sides of the mound, with larger stones concentrated at its northern and southern ends. The largest stone in the northern end measures 170 x 110 cm, while the largest in the southern end is 190 x 150 cm.
Archaeologists believe these are likely the remains of two chambers. A significant discovery during the investigation involved a fallen tree in the southern stone collection, which exposed a bearing stone. From the disturbed soil immediately west of this bearing stone, four flint flakes were collected. Moss grows on many of the stones, and a small earth mound is present near one of the stone groups. The entire complex is easily accessible from a main forest road via a side road. The responsible museum for this site is Arkæologi Sydfyn (Svendborg Museum).
www.kulturarv.dk/fundogfortidsminder/Lokalitet/200418/
A subject very close to The Citizen Cairn’s heart.... and therefore heartening to know there are people out there who feel the same, beyond the confines of TMA. Let’s make it clear: it is NOT ACCEPTABLE to vandalise our prehistoric heritage. Damage these cairns and you are a criminal, regardless of intent.
So why does it happen – why does it appear that so few give a damn, show any respect to the final resting places of our prehistoric ancestors? Sure, no one is being murdered, or physically assaulted. However, at a time when significant resources of the apparently ‘underfunded and overstretched’ police are devoted to appeasing the hurt feelings of those who somehow believe the universe is run by an invisible skygod – or those who choose to ignore the basic prerequisite of a civilised person to take responsibility for one’s own actions – why is it that so few people are seemingly bothered about the irrevocable loss of MY heritage? Why is it OK to attack my heritage with minimal chance of arrest?
I will not accept that. For what it’s worth, I will be watching and reporting for as long as I’m still physically able... and I urge others who care to do the same. People were here, in these Isles, long before the alien desert monotheisms.
Dress appropriately for summit conditions and ostracise those, imbued with a bovine herd mentality, who condone – by proxy – such criminal acts by cowering inside vandalised monuments. The time has come to be vocal about it. Show respect to those who came before, or keep the hell away from the mountains and hills! Ignorance is no longer a defence... the ignorant must be informed and held to account for their actions.
December 19, 2025
The archaeological site known as Ballen Rundhøj, located in the Svendborg Municipality, consists of a Stone Age round barrow and dolmen dating from 3950 to 2800 BC. The site has been officially protected since 1937 or later and is currently under the responsibility of Arkæologi Sydfyn.
The Mound and Curbstones: The monument features a mound approximately 1 meter high with a diameter of 12 meters. It is encircled by roughly 12 curbstones, though historical records suggest that not all of these stones are original to the site.
The Burial Chamber: At the top of the mound sits a burial chamber oriented East-West. It was constructed using four stones, each about 90 cm high. While a 1947 survey estimated the internal dimensions to be 1.20 meters by 0.60 meters, a subsequent 1983 inspection measured them at 1.4 meters by 0.7 meters.
Current State: The capstone is missing. Additionally, the northern side stone has been displaced from its original position.
The site has undergone several recorded inspections and changes over the last century:
1918: Vandalism or damage was reported by the National Museum.
1947: A private restoration occurred. During this period, the owner noted that his father had installed the eastern stone in modern times. There was also a correction to older records; a southern stone previously thought missing was confirmed to be in its original place.
1983: Experts suggested that the current chamber might be the northern remains of a larger, older structure that was partially removed in the past.
Recent Status: Inspections in 1997 and 2015 confirmed the site remains as described in earlier records.
The monument is situated in a forested area and is frequently overgrown with bushes and deciduous trees, which the owner clears periodically. Notably, the surrounding forest contains exceptionally well-preserved ridge and furrow fields (højryggede agre), which are historical farming traces that extend directly to the foot of the dolmen. Additionally, there is a lookout tower located near the ancient monument.
To understand the preservation of this site, one might compare it to a vintage car that has had its roof removed and a few modern parts added to the engine; while it is no longer in its original factory condition, its core structure still provides a clear and valuable window into the era in which it was built.
December 17, 2025
Moel Caws, Gwynedd – Cairn(s) and Prehistoric Settlement
Bit “cheesy”, perhaps? But then I like cheese...
