Bjerreby Jættestue, also known as Dyssekamre at Bjergby or Skebjerg, is a well-visited ancient monument located on Langeland, about halfway between Simmerbølle and Tullebølle. The site is a long dolmen from the Neolithic Age, more specifically from the Funnel Beaker culture around 3500-2800 BC, which corresponds to the Neolithic period about 5100-5500 years ago.
The dolmen is a large burial mound measuring about 20 meters in length and 10-15 meters in width and is oriented east-west. The mound contains two burial chambers, each with its own passage.
The northeastern chamber has two cover stones, one of which is slightly offset. On this offset cover stone there are at least 12 small round depressions, called bowl pits, which are believed to have been added in the Bronze Age and probably had a magical or religious meaning. The chamber consists of 11 bearing stones (two of which are partially overturned) and a 1.8-meter-long passage to the southeast.
The southwestern chamber has a single capstone, which has fallen into the chamber and is partially lying on the ground. It is somewhat special that an oak tree has grown up in the middle of this chamber, which otherwise consists of eight bearing stones and a 2-meter-long passage to the southeast with two bearing stones on each side.
No archaeological excavations have been carried out of the dolmen itself. However, it is assumed that long dolmens such as Bjerreby Jættestue served as burial monuments for local families and heads of clans. The site is easily accessible with good parking nearby and is signposted from the road between Rudkøbing and Spodsbjerg. Although there are no preserved curbstones, Bjerreby Jættestue with its two chambers is an iconic example of Danish dolmens.
Contrary to custom, I did not visit the place on a sunny day, but rather on a rainy day in the fall of 2024.