Fuhrenkamp 3 is better preserved than the other two tombs and lies south of them. Although this tomb is also heavily overgrown, one can still recognize that it must have been a chamber.
Visited July 2018
Nucleus
The tomb is only a few steps east of Fuhrenkamp 1. On a small hill, only four boulders are visible the remains of an approximately east-west oriented chamber.
Visited July 2018
The tomb is heavily destroyed, there are only single boulders which are lying on a hill around. Because of this finding Sprockhoff came to no clear reconstruction of the original appearance. Two burial chambers in a hill bank and an elongated burial chamber are possible.
Visited July 2018
Lahn 2 is a heavily damaged megalithic tomb. There are only 4 stones left, where the actual tomb is no longer recognizable. Two of them might be supporting stones, one is a capstone and the fourth can not be clearly assigned.
To find the tomb drive from Lahn to Wehm and turn left into the field track Ginsterweg, just before a farm. At the end of the farm you turn right from the road, between the farm and the field. Shortly before the next property the tomb lies left in the woods.
Visited July 2018
The only, if only in remnants survived megalithic tomb in Vress are the Plingenberger Steine. There are still 3 capstones (one of which is incomplete), six supporting stones and a stone of the enclosure. 1895 were probably still 15 supporting stones available. The burial chamber is oriented in northwest-southeast direction. The length has to be at least 10 meters at 2 meters width.
To get to the tomb drive from Peheim to Vrees and turn right into Gehlenberger Weg and proceed northwards. After about 2.5 km turn right into a small road and continue for another 160 m . You should notice a small information board on the right. The tomb lies 30m behind this board in the wood.
Visited July 2018
taken from the Route of Megalithic Culture information board:
This megalithic grave is a perfectly preserved treasure trove according to legend. Satan wanted to hide his treasures under the impressive capstones of this 6 x 1.5 metre chamber. Expert groups are puzzeld primarily by the enclosure because it is still undetermined whether it was rectangular or oval. But it differs distinctively from other sites in the area because of its size of 6 x 40 metres. It is said that the number of stones of this devilish monument changes constantly. However, this may easily checked by counting on site. And if one looks closely at least one inscription may be found – dated to the 20th century though.
Stüvenmühle 1 is the only surviving tomb of formerly five megalithic tombs in the district of Stüvenmühle. The tomb lies on the western edge of Visbek near the stream Aue in the garden of the residential building of the estate Stüvenmühle. It is therefore not open for the public.
When I visited the site, the owner just arrived so I asked for permission to visit the tomb. I got the permission, but was not allowed to take any pictures and had to leave my photo at the entrance. The owner accompanied me and meticulously made sure that I did not take pictures with my cell phone. She explained it to me in conversation that people kept appearing unasked in their garden, climbing over fences and damaging them. Therefore, they do not want images of the site on the internet to encourage even more people to visit the tomb.
All in all this is a nice tomb, probably only the burial chamber of a former Hunebed, the enclosure is completely missing. But please respect the wish of the landowner and ask for permission, before you visit the site.
Visited July 2018
To be honest during my visit 2018 there was not much to recognize of the megalithic tomb Bakenhus anymore, as the tomb is heavily overgrown in the meantime. During the planing of my visit I stumbled upon various images on various websites, were the tomb was show after some restoration / cleanup work 2007. It seems that since that no further maintenance work has been carried out, as the vegetation swallows the tomb now.
The tomb is nordwest-southeast oriented and spreads over 25m in a long, flat hill. Most of the support stones still seems to be present. To find the site drive from Ahlhorn on the B312 towards Wildeshausen. Right behind Ahlhorn turn left onto the K239 and drive northward for about 3.5 km. Turn right in the road Bakenhuser Esch and continue for about 165m. The tomb lies to the right in the wood, opposite of a riding facility.
It is a pity that evidently nobody cares about the tomb anymore.
Visited July 2018
The east-west oriented trapezoidal eastern of the two tombs Ahlhorner Kellersteine 2 is located in a round hill of 14 m diameter. The chamber has a length of six meters. Their width decreases from 2.5 to 2.0 m. The two long sides of the chamber have four support stones. Of the formerly at least three capstones, one is still present in situ, the other was blown up and lies collapsed in the tomb.
Visited July 2018
The northwest-southeast-oriented western tomb Ahlhorner Kellersteine 1 is a trapezoidal tomb (type Emsland chamber) of eleven meters in length and a width of 3.0 to 2.3 meters. Of the once 17 support stones, 15 have been preserved, as well as all five capstones, but two of them have been dismembered. The largest capstone is 4.5 × 2.1 × 1 meter. On the south side the access to the chamber should have been located. From the original enclosure stones or the mound nothing is preserved.
Visited July 2018
West of Wildeshausen, south of the A1 autobahn there are three groups of 2 megalithic tombs each with the name affix “Kellersteine”, the Steinloger Kellersteine, the Holzhauser Kellersteine and the Ahlhorner Kellersteine described here.
You can reach the Ahlhorner Kellersteine if you continue on the Bride Path from the Visbeker Bräutigam for about 750m. You come to a crossroads at a field where two roads come from the left. Take the second one leading northeast and after 200m a sign points the way to the right to the two tombs, which are about 50m in the woods.
Visited July 2018
taken from the “Faszination Archäologie” information board:
“Ahlhorner Kellersteine”
Neolithic megalithic tomb
Dimensions Tomb I: 11 x 3 or 2 m, Tomb II; 6 x 2 or 2.5 m
The “Ahlhorner Kellersteine” have a relatively good state of preservation. The capstone of Tomb II was only blown up at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, his fragments can be considered as a memorial of wanton megalithic destruction. The term “Kellersteine” (cellar stones) is probably based on the folkloric misinterpretation of the tombs as a storage cellar for goods.
The legend of the miracle stone
(De Wunnersteen)
According to legend, one of the capstones originally bore the inscription “O wunnder, o wunner, wat ligg hier wohl unner?” (Oh wonder, oh wonder, what may lie down there?). After a long puzzling, it was said, the capstone had been raised. But you could find nothing, nothing except the inscription “Dat würd nu uck all hoge Tied, Dat ick mal keem upp de annere Siet!” (Now it’s about time that I get to the other side!)
Testimony of sedentary life
Megalithic tombs like the “Alhhorner Kellersteine” are considered the oldest surviving structures of northern Central Europe. Until the fourth millennium BC only hunters and gatherers lived in the Wildeshauser Geest. Only the “funnel beaker culture” (about 3500 – 2700 BC) settled down permanently.
They bred cattle, planted grain and lived in post constructions. Presumably, they believed in an otherworldly life and therefore built their deceased sometimes monumental graves of boulders. Those megalithic graves or megalithic tombs (Greek: mega = large, lithos = stone) were erected not for individuals, but for groups and used over many generations.
The chamber is 5.4 meters long and 1.5 meters wide. You can see 9 support stones and 3 capstones, one of which is broken. An enclosure can not be seen.
A tree or shrub is currently growing right out of the tomb, preventing better views, hopefully it will be removed soon before it causes more damage.
Visited July 2018
In the northeast-southwest-oriented tomb Steinloger Kellersteine 1 (the western tomb) all 13 support stones (six on the northwest, five on the southeast side and two endstones) are present, but some are no longer in their original position. Two of the five capstones are missing, the chamber is 7.5 x 1.5 meters. On a cracked capstone a drill hole can be seen.
Visited July 2018
West of Wildeshausen, south of the A1 autobahn there are three groups of 2 megalithic tombs each with the name affix “Kellersteine”, the Ahlhorner Kellersteine, the Steinloger Kellersteine and the Holzhauser Kellersteine described here.
West of Wildeshausen, south of the A1 autobahn there are three groups of 2 megalithic tombs each with the name affix “Kellersteine”, the Ahlhorner Kellersteine, the Holzhauser Kellersteine and the Steinloger Kellersteine described here.
The easiest approach to get to the Steinloger Kellersteine is to drive from Varnhorn north on the “Varnhorner Weg” and park (N52° 53’ 08.5” E8° 18’ 48.7”) where the side street “Vor der Aue” crosses the street from the right, just before the underpass of the A1 autobahn. From here a overgrown forest track leads in a straight line southwest. Follow this track, cross a clearing, stay on this track and you should reach the sites after a little less than 600m.
In a book by Mamoun Fansa Großsteingräber zwischen Weser und Ems (ISBN 978-3-89995-626-9, 2009), the tombs are listed as Grossenkneter Kellersteine and the image must be several decades old, because today the tombs are no longer in the open field, but are from tall trees enclosed.
Visited July 2018
The megalithic tomb Schmeersteine lies north of Varnhorn, pretty much in the middle between the tombs Thölstedt in the northeast and Mühlensteine, Varnhorn in the southwest. I combined my visit with the tomb Mühlensteine, Varnhorn, so I parked at N52 52 19.5 E8 19 20.5 and used the farm track which leads northeast. From the start of the farm track it is a 850m walk, before a signposted beaten track leads left off to the tomb, which lies about 120m in the wood.
The tomb is about 8 x 1,8m, of the three surviving capstones, two are broken.
Visited July 2018
taken from the “Faszination Archäologie” information board:
“Schmeersteine”
Neolithic megalithic tomb
Dimensions: about 8 x 1.8 m
The original layout of the megalithic tomb is still relatively well recognizable, although some boulders are not preserved in their original position. The strange name “Schmeersteine” is based on the traditional misbelief that fat and butter (in Low German: “Schmeer”) were sacrificed here some time ago.
Testimony of sedentary life
Megalithic tombs like “Schmeersteine” are considered the oldest surviving structures of northern Central Europe. Until the fourth millennium BC only hunters and gatherers lived in the Wildeshauser Geest. Only the “funnel beaker culture” (about 3500 – 2700 BC) settled down permanently.
They bred cattle, planted grain and lived in post constructions. Presumably, they believed in an otherworldly life and therefore built their deceased sometimes monumental graves of boulders. Those megalithic graves or megalithic tombs (Greek: mega = large, lithos = stone) were erected not for individuals, but for groups and used over many generations.
The megalithic tomb Mühlensteine lies north of Varnhorn. To get to the site park at N52 52 19.5 E8 19 20.5 and use the farm track which leads northeast. Turn right after about 150m into a smaller track, after another 150m a small beaten path leads uphill. Make sure you leave the small quarry on your right hand you should reach the tomb in about 120m.
The Mühlensteine (mill stones) have their name from the surrounding Mühlenhöhe (mill height). At the southern end, the 6.4 x 2.2 m chamber is still fairly well preserved. It consists of 8 support and 4 capstones, two of them slipped into the chamber. At the western end are two large fragments that belong to the same capstone, as well as the remains of another capstone. The chamber is oriented in northwest-southeast direction.
During my visit, some smaller stones were stacked on some of the tombstones. And though I do not like this rite, especially at an ancient archaeological site, I did not remove the stones.
Visited July 2018
After the Visbeker Bräutigam 3, the Visbeker Braut is the second largest Hunebed in Germany. The rectangular enclosure is northeast/southwest oriented, about 80m long and 7m wide and contains at the southwestern end a rather small burial chamber of 5.5 x 1.5m. The mound that originally filled the site has largely disappeared. Four huge up to 2.50 meters high boulders form the southwest small side of the Hunebed. It is not entirely clear whether they are original stones of the enclosure or relocated capstones of the burial chamber.
To get to the site, drive the B312 from Wildeshausen to Ahlhorn. Immediately west of the autobahn exit “Wildehausen-West” lies the guest-house “Visbeker Braut”. Directly opposite is a small road under the autobahn. Turn right at the first junction and continue for about 180m to a small car park directly at the site. Or walk from the Ahlhorner Kellersteine for about 4km on the so called Brides walk as the bride procession did 5000 year ago before the were petrified ;-).
Visited July 2018
taken from the “Faszination Archäologie” information board:
“Visbek Bride”
Neolithic megalithic tomb
The “Visbek Bride” is considered the second largest Hunebed in the Wildeshauser Geest. It is in a relatively good state of preservation. On the other hand, the magnificent south-western narrow side, which is made up of almost 3m high boulders, is probably not the original situation. Probably at this point in the 19th century, the original capstones of the chamber were erected. The curious name “bride” presumably results from the pre-Christian custom to celebrate central events such as weddings on megalithic tombs.
The legend of “Bride and Bridegroom”
Since the 18th century at the latest, people have told each other that the “Visbek Bride” and her 4km “Visbek Bridegroom” were in fact a petrified wedding party. According to the legend, she had to turn to stone, because the bride believed that she can only escape in this way the marriage established by the father with the unloved bridegroom.
Testimony of sedentary life
Megalithic tombs like the “Visbek Bride” are considered the oldest surviving structures of northern Central Europe. Until the fourth millennium BC only hunters and gatherers lived in the Wildeshauser Geest. Only the “funnel beaker culture” (about 3500 – 2700 BC) settled down permanently.
They bred cattle, planted grain and lived in post constructions. Presumably, they believed in an otherworldly life and therefore built their deceased sometimes monumental graves of boulders. Those megalithic graves or megalithic tombs (Greek: mega = large, lithos = stone) were erected not for individuals, but for groups and used over many generations.
Holzhauser Kellersteine 1 is not an easy to find site, as there are no signposts. Drive the B213 from Wildeshausen westwards for about 3km, then turn south towards Holzhausen. After about 620m the road turns southeast and after 140m there is a small forest on the left side. Park where the small forest ends (300m after the road turns southeast), the tomb is located about 100m across the now appearing field, maybe you can recognize the green memorial sign in a tree (see images).
The tomb is now heavily overgrown, details are therefore difficult to spot and photograph. Visible is the long, east-west oriented approximately 10 x 2 large burial chamber. Still preserved are 13 supporting stones and 5 of the original 7 capstones, which have partially slipped into the chamber.
Visited July 2018
Kleinenknetener Steine 3 was located originally at the Wellohsberg, southeast of Dötlingen. When Sprockhoff examined it in 1929, it was still at its original location, but in the 1930s it had to give way to an airfield and was put up again at the Kleinenknetener Steine.
The tomb had been without capstones before the relocation. The chamber is 6 x 1 m and consists of 10 support stones.
Revisited July 2018
Kleinenknetener Steine 2 is the only known megalithic tomb in Lower Saxony with three burial chambers. Since the middle is slightly smaller than the two outer, one suspects that first the two outer grave chambers were built as separate graves, which by building another chamber in between grow together as a large hunebed. The Hunebed is oriented in northeast-southwest direction and has a length of 34 meters and is 8 meters wide.
Although the megalithic tomb looks well preserved today, numerous capstones have drilled holes.
Revisited July 2018
After the excavation work in 1936/37 Kleinenknetener Steine 1, has been restored, as it may have looked 5,000 years ago. The approximately north-south oriented passage grave has a complete enclosure (the Hunebed) and consists of 85 boulders and a covering mound, which includes 1,200 m³ of earth. It was calculated that this task could be done with 100 men at ten working hours per day in 3.5 months.
The Hunebed is 49 meters long and 7 meters wide. Almost all the stones have been preserved. In the middle, the chamber is in the same orientation as the Hunebed. The burial chamber is framed by eleven stones carrying one original and two complementary capstones.
Revisited July 2018
This is a must see site for everyone interested in Megaliths, for me Kleinenknetener Steine 1 and Kleinenknetener Steine 2 rank within the Top 3 of Megalithics sites in Germany. Kleinenknetener Steine 3 was relocated to here in the 1930 years and is not so impressive, compared to the other two sides.
The sites are located in a nice little wood between Wildeshausen and Kleinenkenten, on a minor road in the direction to Pestrup east of the road Bauerschaft Düngstrup. As the sites are part of the Straße der Megalithkultur (Route of Megalithic Culture) the site is signposted and there is a small car park beside the road. You only have to walk 150m from here to these stunning 5000 years old remains.
Revisited July 2018
Unfortunately, there is only a very good copy of the sun stone in Beckstedt since 1955, since the sun stone is now in the Bremen Focke Museum.
The stone is about 90 cm high and 40 cm deep and consists of red granite. On it are eleven concentric circles and a central cup-shaped notch whose meaning is still unknown. Similar circular motifs can be found on stones in Ireland, Scotland and Scandinavia. The original stone was found in the early 20th century when demolishing a farmhouse in the foundation.
Visited July 2018
taken from the “Faszination Archäologie” information board:
Sonnenstein
Red granite about 90 x 40 cm
In 1921 there was a sensational discovery in Beckstedt: the discovery of one of the rare, presumably attributable to the Bronze Age “sun stones”. The special feature of the flat Beckstedter foundling consists of eleven concentrically arranged, enigmatic circles that enclose a notch in the center. So far, neither an exact dating, nor a scientifically sound interpretation of the original function of the “sun stone” could succeed.
For some time now the hypothesis exists that the incorporated motif is a sun depiction, which is why the foundling is also called the “sun stone”. Nevertheless, all previous interpretations – such as those discussed in the context of Bronze Age cult acts or pre-Christian burial customs – lack any scientific basis.
The Beckstedter “Sonnenstein is now in the Bremen Focke Museum. On site you see a copy.
Strictly speaking, the Pestrup Burial Ground is not a megalithic site, but the largest bronze and iron age necropolis in northern Central Europe. The burial ground is part of the street of megalithic culture and is located about 2.5 km south-southeast of the Wildeshauser center and about 1 km west of the Hunte. The area is a natural and historical protected heath area of the Wildeshauser Geest Nature Park of about 35 ha (about 86 acres) with more than 530 larger and smaller Bronze and Iron Age burial mounds.
Visited July 2018
This inconspicuous beauty is not easy to find. To reach this exemplary grave, drive from Dötlingen to Ostrittrum. About halfway up, turn left into a forest road, where the megalithic tomb is signposted. Park the car after about 600m nearly at the end of the forest and walk along a small path first east (160m), then northwards (60m) to the tomb.
A visit is highly recommended, as you can see very well here, how the small burial chamber was covered with a much larger mound. It is a well-preserved chamber oriented in a northwest-southeast direction. Two capstones are still lying on the support stones. The access was on the southwestern long side.
Visited July 2018
taken from the information board:
Megalithic tomb
Tomb of the Neolithic funnel beaker culture (about 3400 – 2800 BC). Preserved is the western part of the burial chamber (18.5 x 2.5m) originally under a mound with cap stones, supporting stones, an entrance on the south side, paving and dry stone walling between the boulders.
Excavations 1956/1958 yielded a rich find material as gifts for the dead. The megalithic tombs were funeral homes for several generations of a settlement community. The tomb stands as a monument under legal protection.
Visited July 2018
The Hexenstein (Witch stone) lies northwest of Neerstedt. Drive north out of Neerstedt on the Kirchhatter Straße for about 650m, turn left into Schinkenweg. After about 900m there is a field track on the right going straight northwards, walk this track. The “Hexenstein” lies signposted after about 150m in the field to the left.
It is a huge boulder made of reddish Scandinavian granite. The stone is anchored deep in the ground, so that the visible height (1.2 m) reveals only a fraction of the actual dimensions. It has three large and about 30 smaller depressions on the surface.
Visited July 2018
taken from the “Faszination Archäologie” information board:
“Hexenstein
dimensions: approx. 4.30 x 3.10m
The “Hexenstein” (witch stone) formed from Scandinavian Granite has long since been a mystery to research: until today, the original function of the clearly man-made three larger and about 30 smaller cup-like depressions can not be explained scientifically. Interpretive approaches, according to which the cups represent astronomical signs or hollows for offerings, lack any scientific basis. Not even the date is secure. Dates dating from the late Neolithic or Bronze Age are based on pure speculation.
The “Hexenstein” got its name from a folklore narrative: Afterwards the three large notches are to be read as traces of a spinning wheel, which was deposited here long ago in St. John’s Eve by witches. According to another story, the stone served as the residence of small gophers, who used the cups as food bowls.
The Oldenburger Landesverein für Geschichte, Natur- und Heimatkunde has acquired the stone with the property in order to protect it from damage and secure it for posterity.
Stenum is the the northernmost station of the “Route of Megalithic Culture” (Straße der Megelithkultur) and lies very beautiful under oak trees on a small hill, but the grave itself is unfortunately badly destroyed. The tomb is located in Stenum on the road “Am Hünengrab”, it is signposted and there is also a small parking space.
There are still numerous support stones, although some moved slightly and several stones are completely shifted. Two capstones are still preserved. The southwestern part of the tomb is destroyed.
Visited July 2018
taken from the “Faszination Archäologie” information board:
Neolithic tomb
Despite its fragmentary state of preservation, the approximately 5,000-year-old Stenumer megalithic tomb offers an impressive overall picture that gives a good idea of the original layout.
Testimony of sedentary life
Megalithic tombs like “Stenum” are considered the oldest surviving structures of northern Central Europe. Until the fourth millennium BC only hunters and gatherers lived in the Wildeshauser Geest. Only the “funnel beaker culture” (about 3500 – 2700 BC) settled down permanently.
They bred cattle, planted grain and lived in post constructions. Presumably, they believed in an otherworldly life and therefore built their deceased sometimes monumental graves of boulders. Those megalithic graves or megalithic tombs (Greek: mega = large, lithos = stone) were erected not for individuals, but for groups and used over many generations.
Steinkimmen 3 is only for the completist, as it is heavily destroyed and just a few stones are all that remains.
To reach the site, turn right immediatly after you left the Kümmerlandstraße into Bergedorfer Landstraße. Park you car here and walk left along a field track towards a row of trees for about 250m, after you reach the trees continue on that track for another 250m. The tomb is on the left, just before you reach a pond.
Visited July 2018
About northeast of Steinkimmen 2 lies Steinkimmen 1, which is relatively heavily destroyed, but you can still see the shape of the 18 m long northwest-southeast oriented burial chamber. One of the two preserved capstones is very large and is located at the eastern end slipped off in front of the tomb.
Steinkimmen 1 is station 32b of the Straße der Megalithkultur and is signposted from Steinkimmen 2.
Visited July 2018
This is the best preserved of the three megalithic tombs here in Steinkimmen. It is station 32a of the Straße der Megalithkultur and is located directly on a parking space on the road to Bergedorf.
Although only one capstone has been preserved in original position, the 23 x 2 m large chamber is still impressive. Almost all supporting stones are preserved, also the two endstones of the narrow sides. Well preserved and marked by four supporting stones is the access to the chamber. From the oval enclosure only 14 stones are visible.
Visited July 2018
Dingstede, situated on the western boundary of the municipality of Ganderkesee, was first mentioned as “Thingenstede” in a document of the Hude Monastery from 1249. Accordingly, the origin of the place name Dingstede comes from at a court site (Thingstätte = thing site), which is often associated with a megalithic grave of the same name destroyed at the end of the 18th century. Whether the archaeological site was actually a court site is unclear. In any case, in 1973 a replica of just this thing site was built on the outskirts of Dingstede.
It is located west of Dingstede at the “Alter Postweg” road to Munderloh.
Visited July 2018
Hatten 2 aka “Steenberg” lies southeast of Sandhatten and is station 31 of the Straße der Megalithkultur so it is signposted and even has its own parking space. Drive from Sandhatten to Ostrittum and follow the signs, from the parking space it is a walk of about 700m around fields to the tomb, which lies under old oak trees.
The tomb is an approximately east-west oriented chamber of 16.3 x 2.0 meters dimension. Nearly all supporting stones are still present, only two are missing. Six capstones or parts of them are lying within the chamber. From the oval border some stones are still preserved.
Visited July 2018
taken from the “Faszination Archäologie” information board:
“Steenberg”
The approximately east-west oriented grave chamber has a relatively good state of preservation. Their supporting stones are almost completely extant, half even in their original position. Only on each long sides the loss of one stone is recorded. Also visible are six capstones plunged into the chamber or their remains. From the narrow oval enclosure, however, only fragments have survived.
Testimony of sedentary life
Megalithic tombs like “Steenberg” (stone hill) are considered the oldest surviving structures of northern Central Europe. Until the fourth millennium BC only hunters and gatherers lived in the Wildeshauser Geest. Only the “funnel beaker culture” (about 3500 – 2700 BC) settled down permanently.
They bred cattle, planted grain and lived in post constructions. Presumably, they believed in an otherworldly life and therefore built their deceased sometimes monumental graves of boulders. Those megalithic graves or megalithic tombs (Greek: mega = large, lithos = stone) were erected not for individuals, but for groups and used over many generations.
Only six scattered stones are all that remains from this megalithic tomb. It lies in the southwest of the village Sandhatten. If you drive from Huntlosen to Sandhatten turn left into the road Haferkampstraße and continue for about 150m, the tomb lies northeast of the road on a private field. According to Sprockhoff, the tomb was originally about 12m long.
Visited July 2018
Despite the fact the this megalithic tomb is signed from the road “Zum Döhler Wehe”, a visit is only recommended for the really enthusiastic (but I think there are some here on this website ;-) ) as the tomb is heavily destroyed and overgrown. You’ll find the tomb if you drive from Huntlosen on the K337 westward to Hengstlage. About 2.5km behind Huntlosen turn left into “Zum Döhler Wehe” drive for another 725m and park at N52° 59’ 01.8” E8° 14’ 30.3”. There is a track which leads roughly soutwest around a field, after 100m the track turn westwards and after additional 380m a tracks leads north into the wood (there is also a sign for the tomb). After 90m into the wood, the tomb lies to the right.
As I said, the tomb is heavily destroyed, only some of the supporting stones and a end stone survived, none of the capstones. Also the heavy vegetation prevents a clearer view of the site. According to the information baord the original size was about 14 x 2m. There are some grave mounds in this area as well.
Visited July 2018
taken from the “Faszination Archäologie” information board:
Neolithic tomb
The megalithic tomb was exposed early to human destruction. Today it is one of the less well-preserved Neolithic tombs of the Wildeshauser Geest. The remaining stones nevertheless give an idea of the original layout.
Testimony of sedentary life
Megalithic tombs are considered the oldest surviving structures of northern Central Europe. Until the fourth millennium BC only hunters and gatherers lived in the Wildeshauser Geest. Only the “funnel beaker culture” (about 3500 – 2700 BC) settled down permanently.
They bred cattle, planted grain and lived in post constructions. Presumably, they believed in an otherworldly life and therefore built their deceased sometimes monumental graves of boulders. Those megalithic graves or megalithic tombs (Greek: mega = large, lithos = stone) were erected not for individuals, but for groups and used over many generations.
In the fall of 1984, large stones that disturbed plowing on a field near Düste were to be removed. It turned out that these were the remains of a megalithic grave, which were immediately examined by an official excavation. Unfortunately, the chamber had been ransacked earlier by grave robbers, but it still found remains of 60 clay pots, an arrowhead and a stone ax.
The tomb was then transferred to the northwest edge of Barnstorf to the Walsener ponds, whereby not only supporting and cover stones, but also the soil paving were restored. A shattered stone was replaced by a foreign stone, the original fragments are still next to the chamber. The chamber measures 5.2 x 1.5 m inside. Of the original four capstones only two are preserved.
Visited July 2018
Damme 3 lies about 4km north northeast of Damme in the forest Dammer Fuhrenkamp, south of Stappenberg. To reach the tomb, drive the road L846 from Damme to Steinfeld (Oldenburg). About 3.5km after Damme turn right in the Eichenallee and follow this road for about 1.2km, partly on a unpaved road.
The 32-meter-long chamber must once have been magnificent, today it is heavily destroyed and plundered. The stones are mixed up and you can identify seven capstones or the remains of them. A stone on the south side of the tomb has a noticeable row of drillholes.
Visited July 2018
Southwest of Damme in the Clemens-August-Dorf north of the L846 on both sides of the branching K277 (to Ossenbeck) two passage graves are located: Damme 1 and Damme 2. You can use the car park of the cemetery Kommunaler Friedhof Neuenwalde to visit both sites. To visit Damme 1 you must walk about 550m from the car park, Damme 2 lies actually within the cemetry.
Damme 2 is very poorly preserved and lies close to the entrance of the cemetry, probably the only megelithic tomb which is located within a cemetry. There are no signs or an information board which guides you to the tomb. You can still see some of the supporting stone and capstones and rests of the mound, but the overall structure or shape is hard to imagine. The tomb was according to Sprockhoff originally almost 30 meters long. Its remains are still 19 meters long and about 1.6 meters wide. The end stone to the west is present, the eastern missing.
Visited July 2018
Southwest of Damme in the Clemens-August-Dorf north of the L846 on both sides of the branching K277 (to Ossenbeck) two passage graves are located: Damme 1 and Damme 2. You can use the car park of the cemetery Kommunaler Friedhof Neuenwalde to visit both sites. To visit Damme 1 you must walk about 550m from the car park, Damme 2 lies actually within the cemetry.
From the car park of the cemetry walk along the exit and you reach the road K277. Across the road a trail starts (look for a big sign) which brings you directly to the tomb.
Damme 1 is a well preserved passage grave and worth seeing, magically surround by trees in a small clearing in the woods. The width is 3 meters in the middle, it tapers to 2.5 meters at the east end and 2 meters at the west end. All eleven supporting stones and four really impressive capstones are still present. Only one of the capstones has slipped into the chamber, the others are still lying on the support stones. On the south side a single stone probably marks the entrance.
Highly recommended, if you are in the area!
Visited July 2018
The gallery grave Wechte I lies south of the Bodelschwing church, a small unpaved road (An der Papiermühle) leads from the Brochterbecker Straße, where there is a sign, in about 60m directly to the tomb.
The tomb lies on a green meadow surrounded by hedges, behind some houses. The tomb is quite impressive (35 x 2.5m), according to the information board it was once at least 40m long (probably on the northeast side, as there is an end stone in the southwest section.
All in all a very nice tomb and due to the easy accessibility highly recommended, if you are in this part of the country.
Visited July 2018
Text taken from the information board:
Discovered by accident
During sand harvesting in 1928 a hitherto unknown megalithic grave was touched and then and dug out. At that time the approximately 2.5 m wide grave was still preserved on a length of about 35 m. Originally it must have been at least 40 meters long. The megalithic grave Langerich-Wechte I is one of the oldest and prehistoric relics of our region still visible in the area.
The formerly mounded burial chamber served in the period from 3400 to 2850 BC a rural community as a collective burial ground. It was built by the farmers, who were based in the Münsterland area. In addition to agriculture and livestock, hunting, fishing and gathering wild fruits and nuts supplemented the food supply. Settlements of this time are not yet known from the immediate vicinity of the megalithic grave, but in the area Heek, county Borken, remains of the then wooden houses were discovered.
At the time of the excavation, the stone-paved chamber floor was still intact. However, the larger granite and Osning sandstone blocks of the side walls and the ceiling had previously either pulled out or sunk deeper into the ground to allow for agricultural use of the area. Occasionally, dry masonry from flat rocks filled the up to 1 m wide gaps between the supporting stones. Access to the burial chamber could not be clearly determined during the archaeological examination, it was perhaps from a narrow side.
In addition to numerous human bones, the excavations revealed the remains of several hundred ornate pottery vessels of the funnel beaker culture, several flint and rock axes, weapons and tools made of flint and bone and jewelry made of amber, quartz, gagat and copper.
The site of Lengerich-Wechte is one of the most southerly examples of the megalithic tombs spread over the northern German-Scandinavian area.
After completion of the excavations 1928, the state was preserved and some of the remaining supporting stones set up again. In addition, some of the stones of a second destroyed megalithic tomb about 800 meters southwest were used for the reconstruction.
Visited July 2018