Nucleus

Only three stones from this site are preserved. The first one (menhir 1) stands directly in front of the south side of the churchyard wall. It is plate-shaped and tapers upwards. It consists of black-gray sedimentary rocks and has a height of 1.26 m, a width of 0.85 m and a thickness of 0.45 m. On the north side it has a series of very wide and deep cups.

Menhir 2 is 12 meters to the east. He leans against a modern stone pillar and is partially cemented. The menhir is edged and has a rectangular cross-section. It consists of red granite and has a height of 1.58 m, a width of 0.72 m and a thickness of 0.40 m.

Menhir 3 is located 26 meters northwest of menhir 2 just outside the church. He is block-shaped and strongly inclined. It consists of reddish sedimentary rocks and has a height of 1.25 m, a width of 0.75 m and a thickness of 0.45 m.

According to the on site plan, there once was a fourth stone until 1992. The stone stood about 8 meters east of menhir 2 and formed a row with this and menhir 1.

It is believed that both the church construction, as well as the course of the village street follows the westeastern alignment of the old row of stones (menhir 1, 2 and 4). An imaginary line of menhir 1 and 3 runs approximately through the altar of the church. Originally there were more stones, even an interpretation as a stone circle would be plausible.

The church with the menhirs lies right in the middle of the village right off the B71 road.

Visited April 2019

Lüge is a grand dolmen consisting of three pairs of supporting stones and a double oval enclosure. The current state of preservation is very poor. The tomb and the mound are completely destroyed due to the removal of the stones and the illegal excavations. Only three wall stones of the chamber are preserved, all enclosure stones are completely missing. The original structure of the northeast-southwest-oriented complex is no longer recognizable.

Drive from Ladekath in the direction of Winterfeld. Directly behind Ladekath the road makes a right bend. Here you continue straight on the small cobblestone road. This eventually becomes a field and forest path that leads to Lüge. After 1.2 kilometers a path turns right. Follow this road and after 350 meters you will reach the remains of the tomb, which lies about 70 m to the right of the forest track. For the way described, a semi-off-road suitable car is recommended.

Only for real enthusiasts and/or completists.

Visited April 2019

Bretsch 2 is a grand dolmen consisting of four pairs of supporting stones and a rectangular enclosure. The current state of preservation is good. The enclosure as well as the chamber are north-northeast-south-southwest oriented. The enclosure is 13.5 m long and around 7 m wide, twentythree enclosure stones are preserved. The chamber lies in the middle of th enclosure and meassures 5 m x 1m. Eight of formerly ten support stones and all four capstones are either complete or partially preserved. Two capstones lie on the chamber stones; north of the chamber is a displaced sunken capstone. On the southern capstone are four round cups, on the surface of the outer capstone at least eight.

Drive on the L12 from Bretsch towards Drüsedau. About 600 m behind the village exist, the tomb lies north (on your left) of the road, approximately 200 m in the field under a group of trees. That means a visit should only be made if the field is lying fallow. Park the car 100 m onwards on the road right before a left turn on the right side.

Visited April 2019

Bretsch 1 is a grand dolmen consisting of four pairs of supporting stones and likely a rectangular enclosure. The current state of preservation is moderate, a number of capstones are missing, the enclosure stones are only partly in their original position and the chamber is severely disturbed. The enclosure is northeast-southwest orientated and 25 m long and 7.5 m wide. At least thirtyone stones are preserved. The chamber is also northeast-southwest orientated and lies in the middle of the enclosure. It measures 6.1 m x 1.7 m. Eleven wall stones and three complete as well as fragments of two other capstones are preserved, one of them broken, another is north of the enclosure.

Drive on the L12 from Bretsch towards Drüsedau. Pass Bretsch 2 (on your left), then the road makes a slight left-hand bend. The tomb lies about 200 m behind the left-hand bend, only 20 m to the right of the road. You can park your car either at the left-hand bend or in the grass strip right at the tomb.

Visited April 2019

Bretsch 3 is a grand dolmen consisting of five pairs of supporting stones and a rectangular enclosure. The current state of preservation is good, only a few stones are missing. The enclosure is northeast-southwest orientated and 32 m long and 7 m wide. The enclosure consists of thirtyeight stones, eight stand still upright, some are bursted. A stone lying just outside the enclosure in the east could be interpreted as a turned-over guardian stone, but more likely that it is a capstone of the chamber displaced here. The chamber is also ortheast-southwest orientated and lies in the middle of the enclosure. It measures 6 m x 1.8-1,5 m. All twelve wall stones are preserved and still stand upright. One capstone (2.7 m x 1 m x 0.9 m) is completely preserved, another one of probably five only incomplete.

Drive on the L12 from Bretsch towards Drüsedau. Pass Bretsch 2 (on your left) and Bretsch 1 (on your right). 800 m after Bretsch 1 you reach the edge of a forest, continue for another 350 m and park your car (N52° 51’ 01.6” E11° 39’ 53.3”), where a forest track on the left side leads in a northwestern direction. Follow this track for about 950 m, which leads you in a straight line to the tomb until just before the end of the forest. On the left, about 30 meters from the path, lies the tomb.

Unfortunately, during my visit, the tomb was heavily overgrown with undergrowth and brambles, so the structure was not easily recognizable. Too bad, on older pictures, the tomb looks very promising. Here, the shrubbery should urgently be trimmed, otherwise in a few years the tomb will probably no longer be recognized.

Visited April 2019

Hohenwulsch-Friedrichsfleiß is a grand dolmen consisting of seven pairs of supporting stones and probably an oval enclosure. The current state of preservation is moderate, the enclosure is missing for the most part, the largest capstone has burst and fallen into the chamber. The location of the six remaining enclosure stones suggests that the enclosure was once round or oval. Outside diameter: 13.3 m in east-west direction. The chamber (7.4 m long, 1.8 – 2 m wide) is also east-west orientated and lies in the middle of the enclosure. Fourteen of formerly sixteen wall stones and four of formerly five capstones are preserved. The biggest, broken capstones measures 2.6 m x 2 m x 1.2 m.

Drive on the K1069 from Friedrichsfleiß towards Schorstedt. Immediately before Freidrichshof turn right towards Grassau. After about 1 km you will reach a larger forest road (N52 ° 40 ‘34.1 “E11 ° 39’ 30.9”) coming from the south. Park the car here and follow the forest path in a southerly direction for about 550 m, here crosses the way from Friedrichsfleiß to Grassau. At the intersection, turn right towards Friedrichsfleiß and follow it for about 80 m. The tomb lies here left of the way.

taken from the information board:

Megalithic tomb G R A S S A U

Megalithic tombs are silent witnesses of the past.

More than 4500 years ago, the inhabitants built these places of worship. Only rolls (logs) and piled-up inclined planes were used to transport the tons of boulders. What a performance. It could only have been Titans or Giants.

The term megalithic tombs dates back to the Middle Ages. The stones for the graves were brought or pushed from northern Europe, central and southern Sweden in the ice age in our area by glaciers (debris).

In 1843 there were 34 tombs in the district of Stendal, today there are only 4 in the area of Kläden. The remaining tombs were used as building material.

About 100 m west of the crossing Grassau – Friedrichsfleiß and Bülitz – Schorstedt are the remains of this megalithic tomb. The cracked capstone rests on four wall stones. Another 10 stones of the burial chamber and enclosure are still present.

Besides this tomb are still preserved:
Graves on the Trappenberg near Bülitz, west of the road towards Grünenwulsch, north of Steinfeld.

Further, but no longer existing megalithic tombs lay between Schmoor (Friedrichshof) and Grassau near the deserted medieval town Finschow. Two more in the district Grassau, between the Schartauer and the Schorstedter road. There was a grave in Kläden. It formed with some stones the basis for the built in the 30s war memorial on the church hill.

Beesewege is a destroyed grand dolmen consisting of five pairs of supporting stones and a trapezoidal enclosure. The condition is very bad, only two stones, which probably belong to the chamber, and a stone of the enclosure, broken in three parts, are present. Even in the first half of the 19th century, the megalithic tomb was well preserved except for several missing capstones. The length of the trapezoidal enclosure was then 39 m, the width of 8.2 – 12.5 m, an imposing capstone (3.2 mx 2.2 m) rested on four or five support stones. The chamber itself, like the enclosure, was probably oriented west-east.

After 1870, the megalithic tomb was largely destroyed. The stones were used in the construction of a path underpass through the emerging railway Bremen – Berlin (“Amerikalinie”) as a reinforcement of the railway embankment. They should still be in the railway embankment today.

The picked up stones are a recent “additon” of an idiot with no respect of this ancient site, because on older pictures, they are not present.

The tomb can be reached from Beesewege towards Bülitz. About 100 meters before the last houses, where the village road turns to the northeast, a road goes to the southeast (cycle path from Beesewege to Kläden). This road soon turns into a bad dirt road, park here. Walk for about 800m on this dirt road until you reach the edge of the forest. There you turn left and then, after about 50 meters, you will find the remains of the tomb left of the path.

Visited April 2019

Bülitz is a grand dolmen consisting of five pairs of supporting stones and a trapezoidal enclosure. The current state of preservation is good, at least two capstone and most of the enclosure stones are missing, however the existing stones are still all upright. The enclosure is largely destroyed. It consists of only six stones and reaches a width of 9.4 m. In 1843, during the recording of Danneil, it was still in a very good condition. He described the enclosure as trapezoidal with a length of 26.7 m and a width between 8.8 m and 10.0 m. At that time the enclosure still had extra large guardian stones. The chamber is nordeast-southwest orientated and measures 5.7 m x 2.2 – 1.7 m. Twelve wall stones and one of the formerly presumably three capstones have been preserved.

On the northeast side of the tomb leans a large sandstone slab with a now washed-out inscription. This is, as in Kläden 6, a slab of the canon of Levetzow mentioned in 1893, who had bought this tomb in order to save it from destruction.

Drive from Bülitz towards Beesewege. About 800 meters behind Bülitz there is a group of houses on the left hand side. Just behind the last house leads a path to the grave 60 meters away.

Visited April 2019

Kläden 6 is a grand dolmen consisting of eight pairs of supporting stones and a trapezoidal enclosure. The current state of preservation is moderate, at least one capstone is missing, the others are partially cracked and partially sunken, many enclosing and wall stones have fallen or are missing. The enclosure is south-north orientated. It is quite short in comparison to the remarkable large burial chamber, 18 m long outside and between 7.5 m in the south and 8.2 m in the north. Nineteen of formerly perhaps twenty-six surrounding stones are still present. The chamber is also south-north orientated and lies in the middle of the enclosure. Twenty wall stones and six of formerly seven capstones are preserved. The chamber measures 11 m x 1.5 m (south) – 2.6 m (north).

On the east side of the complex, roughly in the middle of the tomb, lies a broken, inscribed sandstone slab. Like the grave of Bülitz, it is a board of the canon of Levetzow, who bought the tomb to preserve it. The slab was to be used around 1950 for the construction of an Ernst Thälmann monument. But when they wanted to lift the slab from the grave, it broke into two pieces and then left the two pieces there.

Drive from Steinfeld to Kläden, in Kläden turn right towards Grassau. After about 2 kilometers there is a wind turbine on the right side of the road. There you can park the car. The tomb is then on the other side of the road, about 60 meters away, in a larger and dense bush group. Shortly before my visit, the strong plant growth around the grave must have been cut back, otherwise it seems to be heavily overgrown.

Visited April 2019

taken from the information board:

Megalithic tomb K L Ä D E N
kleiner Trappenberg

Megalithic tombs are silent witnesses of the past.

More than 4500 years ago, the inhabitants built these places of worship. Only rolls (logs) and piled-up inclined planes were used to transport the tons of boulders. What a performance. It could only have been Titans or Giants.

The term megalithic tombs dates back to the Middle Ages. The stones for the graves were brought or pushed from northern Europe, central and southern Sweden in the ice age in our area by glaciers (debris).

In 1843 there were 34 tombs in the district of Stendal, today there are only 4 in the area of Kläden. The remaining tombs were used as building material.

This grave west of the road to Grünenwulsch, on the kleiner Trappenberg, is 18 m long, 12 m wide and consists of 50 stones. The burial chamber consists of 22 supporting and 7 capstones.

Besides this tomb are still preserved:
Graves on the großen Trappenberg near Bülitz, north of Steinfeld, west of the crossing of the routes Bülitz – Schorstedt and Grassau – Friedrichsfleiß.

Further, but no longer existing megalithic tombs lay between Schmoor (Friedrichshof) and Grassau near the deserted medieval town Finschow. Two more in the district Grassau, between the Schartauer and the Schorstedter road. There was a grave in Kläden. It formed with some stones the basis for the built in the 30s war memorial on the church hill.

In 1931, the remaining stones of the megalithic tombs Kläden 3 and / or Kläden 4 (numbers according to Beier 1991) were removed for the construction of a war memorial, which was built directly in the village on the churchyard of the Feldsteinkirche.

In Kläden drive southwest on the L30 in the direction of Badingen. The Feldsteinkirche is then about 400m after the crossroads on the left side. The remains of the megalithic tomb more specifically the war memorial is located directly in front of the church in the churchyard.

Visited April 2019

The numbering scheme of the megalithic tombs of Kläden is based on

Hans-Jürgen Beier: Die megalithischen, submegalithischen und pseudomegalithischen Bauten sowie die Menhire zwischen Ostsee und Thüringer Wald (= Beiträge zur Ur- und Frühgeschichte Mitteleuropas. Band 1). Wilkau-Haßlau 1991, page 60

The megalithic tomb of Steinfeld is the largest in the Altmark.

It is a grand dolmen consisting of seven pairs of supporting stones and a trapezoidal enclosure. The current state of preservation is good, most of the stones are still present, but all enclosure stones have fallen down and most of the capstones have sunken into the chamber. The enclosure is north-worthwest south-southeast orientated and about 47 m long and 6.5 (north) – 4.8 m (south) wide. Fifty-three of a total of sixty enclosure stones are preserved. The two cornerstones of the southern end are exceptionally huge (“Guardians”). The rectangular chamber is also north-northwest south-southeast orientated, 8.5 m long and 2 m wide. All seventeen support stones and all six capstones are preserved, the biggest capstones measures 2.2 m x 1.6 m x 0.6 m.

Drive on the L15 (Klädener Straße) from Steinfeld towards Kläden. Before the road leaves the village, it makes a left turn to the west. Turn slightly right here and drive straight ahead (north) on the road “Am Schützenhaus” for about 130 m until you reach a parking space with a playground and the tomb.

Visited April 2019

taken from the information board:

Megalithic Tomb Steinfeld
Megalithic Tombs – Silent witnesses of the past
More than 4500 years ago, the inhabitants built these places of worship

The term megalithic tombs dates back to the Middle Ages.
During the Ice Age, the stones from northern Europe, central and southern Sweden were brought to our area through the ice.
During the construction of the graves tree trunks were used as rolls and piled inclined planes for the transport of the tons of boulders.

In 1843 there were 34 in the district of Stendal, today there are only 4 tombs left in the area of Kläden.

The megalithic tomb of Steinfeld is the largest in the Altmark.
The well-preserved megalithic tomb has a length of about 47 m and a width of about 8 m. It consists of 77 stones and is north-northeast and south-southwest orientated. In the northern part of the enclosure is the burial chamber, in front of it are two gable stones.
The burial chamber consists of 17 wall stones and 6 capstones. The largest capstone is also called “sounding stone”, because when you hit a bright, sonorous tone should sound.
On the southern narrow side of the enclosure are two cornerstones, the so-called “guardians” and a gable stone.

According to a legend, two giants are said to have thrown stones in the fight. At this point the megalithic tomb was created.

Further information at www.danneil-museum.de/graeber_lage (Note: URL inactive)

The Menhir of Seehausen (also called “Götterstein” or “Langer Stein”) is a pillar about 2.25 m high with incised motifs (head, bow, ax, sandals). Unfortunately, the original Menhir had to be replaced by a replica to protect against vandalism and brought to the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle.

Take the L77 westwards towards Eggenstedt. Some 1.2 km after leaving the village there is a single house on the left, here you drive another 200 m and park on the left side. At a sharp angle follow a small dirt road to the left, after about 250m, when you reach a field on the right, the stone is on the left side.

Visited April 2019

taken from the information board:

Menhir of Seehausen
»Götterstein«, »Langer Stein«
Corded Ware culture (circa 2800-2200 BC)

The term menhir is a borrowed from the Breton name for an erected, single elongated stone (Breton maen, English »stone«, hir, English »long«). An identification as a menhir and the temporal classification can often only be verified by an excavation. Most are unprocessed; however, some were given a human form by having a highly stylized face and other person attributes. Menhirs, according to the current state of research, did not have the character of a tombstone, in other words they did not primarily mark a grave. However, they are certainly to be put in a cultic context.

The pillared Menhir of Seehausen consists of quartzitic gray sandstone. It was found around 1800 at the »digging of the earth« on prehistoric burial mounds on the hill opposite to the south and erected in 1816 as a cemetery monument at its current location. The original is heavily devastated and has more recent traces of vandalism. To prevent further damage, the stone was transferred to the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle and replaced by a copy.

The 2.25 m high pillar or statue menhir of Seehausen is processed all around and decorated with engraved lines.

An older drawing shows the representation of a warrior with a stylized head. Directly below the circular face is a double line interpreted as a bow. In the below engraved belt with oval lock an ax is hung. Heel parts of sandals are shown on the right side of the body. Very similar menhirs with warrior attributes and sandal prints are known from the Black Sea area and have apparently served as a model for the stone stele from Seehausen.

Based on the carved motifs, the Menhir from Seehausen can be dated to the Late Neolithic Corded Ware culture (around 2800-2200 BC).

The Menhir originally stood about 150 m in the field on the Kalkberg at an old crossroads. The roundish stone tapers upwards, is completely processed and about 1.70 m high.

The Menhir is on the road from Eilsleben in the direction of Siegersleben, about 150 m after the village exit on the right. Parking is possible either right behind the village exit on the left or about 175 m after the Menhir.

Visited April 2019

It is a heavily destroyed megalithic tomb. There are 9 stones left, probably a capstone and 8 supporting stones. The expansion of the chamber is no longer recognizable. All stones are more or less displaced. In one of the stones there is a depression in which, according to a legend, the water should never dry out.

From Erxleben take the K1148 northwest to Hörsingen. After about 4km you get to a roundabout. Take the third exit onto the K1146 towards Bartensleben (eastwards). After about 1.1km, just before the road forks (left towards Alleringersleben and Ostingersleben, straight on towards Klein Bartensleben), a forest path branches off to the right, where you can park your car. There is also on a tree a weathered sign on the grave. Follow this path for about 70 meters, the tomb is then left in the forest.

Visited April 2019

The tomb is badly damaged. On a flat, only vaguely recognizable, approximately in east-west direction running mound are still six stones that show no structure of the site more.

From Marienborn take the K1656 towards Morsleben. Immediately in front of a railroad crossing there is a parking space with information board on the left hand side. From here all Marienborns’ megalithic tombs in the forest of Bischofswald can be visited on foot.

Follow the forest trail Bierweg which turns right after the parking lot and leads in a slight arc first to the north, then in a western direction. After about 400m, a path leads to the right (the first bigger forest road to the right). The tomb is located about 60m northeast from here.

Visited April 2019

Marienborn Fundplatz 6 (Fundplatz = find site) is a rather heavily disturbed megalithic tomb. One can see a mound with three large stones (nodular lignite quartzite and red granite), these are probably the capstones of a burial chamber.

From Marienborn take the K1656 towards Morsleben. Immediately in front of a railroad crossing there is a parking space with information board on the left hand side. From here all Marienborns’ megalithic tombs in the forest of Bischofswald can be visited on foot.

Follow the forest trail Bierweg which turns right after the parking lot and leads in a slight arc first to the north, then in a western direction. After about 425m, a path leads to the right (after the first bigger forest road to the right). During my visit in 2019, there was a corresponding signpost (see image 1). Follow this path and you’ll reach the site after 50m.

Visited April 2019

Only three capstones and the tip of a suspected support stone stick out from the forest soil. The rest of the tomb is probably still hidden in the ground. In the front capstone are two natural or possibly artificially made, circular depressions, which gave the tomb the name “Operstein” (sacrificial stone). On the back capstone are some small cups.

From Marienborn take the K1656 towards Morsleben. Immediately in front of a railroad crossing there is a parking space with information board on the left hand side. From here all Marienborns’ megalithic tombs in the forest of Bischofswald can be visited on foot.

The Opfersteine are the westernmost grave. Follow the forest trail Bierweg which turns right after the parking lot and leads in a slight arc first to the north, then in a western direction. After about 750m, a path leads to the right (the third to the right) in a northwesterly direction. During my visit in 2019, there was a corresponding signpost (see image 1). Follow this path for about 300m. In a slight right bend, a path leads to the left (southwest). After about 85m there is a small path to the left, which leads southeast. Follow this path and you’ll reach the site after 40m.

Visited April 2019

taken from the information board:

Archaeological-historical hiking trail Marienborn (8)
Opfersteine
Megalithic tomb, around 3300-2900 BC

Mid-19th century Forestry master Ernst Schmidt and local historian Gustav Maas from Altenhausen discovered these three large stone blocks lying in a row. Probably due to the two natural and connected by a channel depressions on a stone, the site was named “Opferaltar” (sacrificial altar) or “Opfersteine” (sacrificial stones). Only in 1921, the stones were recognized as capstones of a megalithic tomb.

Unlike the northern megalithic tombs, the burial chamber has been sunk into the ground so that the capstones are at surface level. Perhaps these were formerly covered by a mound and not visible. The building material used was the tuber quartzite (also known as lignite or tertiary quartzite) which occurs in the region. Three capstones and the bearing surface of a wall stone are visible.

The main distribution area of ??sunken megalithic or chamber tomb lies in the Hessian-Westphalian area (gallery graves) up to the Paris basin (Allées couvertées).

From the Middle Elbe-Saale area and the Lower Saxon region only a few sunken chamber tombs are known, which were generally much smaller (5-10 m long). Here, these megalithic tombs are associated with the Walternienburg-Bernburg culture (around 3300-2900 BC), while the non-sunken or low-set, consisting of erratic blocks, nordic megalithic tombs of the Haldensleber Forst and the Altmark region were often built much earlier (from about 3600 BC). Despite the lack of research to date, it can be assumed that the “Opfersteine” were a megalithic burial chamber for a village or relatives group.

There are only a few stones remaining of this tomb, so no real structure is recognizable anymore.

You drive from Harbke on the K1373 to the northeast towards the Autobahn A2. About 2.5 kilometers just before a railroad crossing, there is a forest road on the right side of the road which leads southeast. There you can park the car. Follow this forest path for about 850 meters until you reach a right bend. The remains of the tomb are then about 40 meters left from the path.

Visited April 2019

The tomb is completely destroyed. It is only a heavily rumbled, up to 50 cm high mound. Due to the dense vegetation the mound is hardly recognizable on the images.

You drive from Harbke on the K1373 to the northeast towards the Autobahn A2. About 2.5 kilometers just before a railroad crossing, there is a forest road on the right side of the road which leads southeast. There you can park the car. Follow this forest path for about 850 meters until you reach a right bend. The remains of the tomb are then about 70 meters from the path, right in the thicket of the forest.

Only for real enthusiastics, a GPS device is highly recommended.

Visited April 2019

Only three scattered stones on an elongated hill are all that remains from this destroyed megalithic tomb.

You drive from Harbke on the K1373 to the northeast towards the Autobahn A2. About 1.8 kilometers after the road leads into the forest and about 650m before a railroad crossing, there is a forest road on the right side of the road. There you can park the car. Follow the forest path for about 60 meters. Right of the path is now a well-recognizable hill in which lie the sad remains of this tomb.

Visited April 2019

The Lübbensteinen are two passage graves whose origin dates back to around 3500 BC. Both sites are oriented in north-south direction. They are the southernmost megalithic tombs in northern Germany and were built from local lignite quartzite.

The two megalithic tombs are located west of Helmstedt on the main road 1 in the direction of Königslutter on the St. Annenberg. The tombs are a bit off on a raised plateau with a parking lot. The northern tomb was completely reconstructed, the southern tomb only incomplete, since half of the stones were missing.

Unfortunately, during my visit on Good Friday 2019, three larger groups of people celebrated on the grounds. Children clambered on the stones and adults sat on the capstones. On my pictures, I tried to depict the people as far as possible, or I removed them afterwards from the pictures as well as possible.

Visited April 2019

taken from the information board:

The Lübbensteine 4000 BC

Landmarks of archeology in the Brunswick region

The records of the two impressive prehistoric grave monuments on St. Annenberg in front of Helmstedt reach back to the 17th century (Figs.1 and 2).

The tombs themselves are much older and were built in the middle of the 4th millennium BC. It is due to the intervention of professors of the University of Helmstedt that the Lübbensteine escaped the fate of other megalithic tombs in the region, which were smashed or blown up because they disturbed the farming of the fields and the stones could be used well as building material. Today, the Lübbenstein are designated as cultural and historical monuments.

In the 19th century, the Lübbensteine were much worse preserved than the viewer suspects today. In 1935/36 both tombs were examined by the archaeologists Hofmeister and Thaerigen. More than half of the stones were missing from the southern tomb (near your location), most notably the capstones of the chamber, of which only one was left. Much better preserved was the tomb to the north (Fig. 3), which was also the model for the reconstruction of the second site. Here 40 of the originally 45 stones of the enclosure were preserved. There were also all five capstones, but two of them were broken.

Time had caused damage on the in 1936 restored tombs (figs 4 and 5), so that in 2001 there was an acute danger of collapse. With the help of the Brunswick United Monastery and Study Fund and the city of Helmstedt, a damage assessment was carried out in 2002, which was completed in 2003 with a refurbishment and securing of the sites. In addition, the interior of the two grave chambers, originally paved with stone slabs, was laid with gravel to convey an authentic spatial impression (Figs. 4 and 6). At the southern grave, the monochromatic capstone erected hitherto in a distorted, stele-like manner has been restored to its original function over a newly added supporting stone (Figs. 5 and 6).

Both graves are megalithic or large stone tombs, built from local lignite quartzites. The actual burial chambers are formed by yokes from two supporting and one capstone each. The chambers of both tombs today consist of five such yokes, although it is not entirely certain that this was the original state of the southern grave. From the east, a corridor flanked by two vertically placed stones, which is only preserved at the northern tomb, leads into the burial chamber. Further out, a rectangular stone enclosure of vertically placed stones runs. The gaps between the individual stones of the chamber and those of the enclosure were closed with dry-stone-like small stones. The area between the chamber and the enclosure was filled with soil, so that only the capstones of the chamber and the enclosure could be seen from the outside. The grave resembled in its original appearance with it one of the typical Neolithic wooden houses.

The excavations on the Lübbensteinen have brought almost no finds. Old excavations that have been handed down since the 18th century had ravaged the entire area. Such megalithic tombs have been visited for generations as burial places, and in well-preserved tombs remains of more than a hundred skeletons were often salvaged in the chambers. The dead were equipped with vessels (probably containers for food on the way to the afterlife), jewelry and equipment and weapons made of stone.

The Lübbensteine are the southernmost megalithic tombs in northern Germany. Further comparable graves are known from Groß Steinum, Süpplingenburg and the Marienborner Forst. In Groß Steinum, the archaeological park “Baustelle Großsteingrab” (construction site megalithic tomb) provides detailed information about the construction and interpretation of the megalithic tombs. In the south following low mountain range landscapes suitable large stones were missing as building material. Here comparable grave sites were built from stone walls, from stone slabs or also from wood. The reconstruction of a wall chamber grave excavated can be visited at Remlingen on the southern edge of the Asse.

Süpplingenburg was a burial site of the Neolithic funnel beaker culture between Süpplingenburg and Emmerstedt in Lower Saxony. Today it is located on the edge of the Sandteich in Süpplingenburg.

It is believed that the tomb consisted of five pairs of support stones. 12 stone blocks (from 14) were translocated in 1982 to the current location. A faithful reconstruction of the site was no longer possible because of their disarrangement at the place where the tomb was found.

The tomb is quite easy to visit, drive on the L644 from Süpplingenburg towards Emmerstedt. At the village you’ll pass a football field and a pond (Sandteich) on your right. There is a field track right after the pond, you leave your car there. The tomb is on the edge of the small wood between the field track and the pond, just 100m to walk.

Visited April 2019

taken from the information board:

Stones of a megalithic grave

A megalithic tomb on the Hühnenkamp, ??around 3500 BC
The stones at the Sandteich (sandy pond) of Süpplingenburg were excavated in 1977 and 1978 on a field, about 1km northeast of Süpplingenburg. The field name “Hühnenkamp” had the memory of a former megalithic tomb preserved. The stones were relocated and buried in the Middle Ages or in the modern era, since they interfered with the cultivating of the field. Only in 1976, when the plow came upon them again, the remains of the tomb were documented under the direction of the then district archaeologist H. Rötting. Of the 14 found stone blocks from the local tuber quartzite, 12 were moved to the current location. The present arrangement indicates a chamber with 5 pairs of support stones. A reconstruction of the original burial chamber was not possible due to the strong displacement of the stones.

An ornate pottery vessel from the Stone Age funnel beaker culture, a stone ax and several flint bricks salvaged during the excavation are the remainder of the former grave goods. They give an indication of the construction time around 3500 before Chr.

What is a megalithic tomb?
The monumental tombs of large stone blocks were common burial places of a large family or clan. They were sacred places where in rituals communion with the deceased was cultivated. The construction of the monuments meant a tremendous achievement for the whole settlement community.

A megalithic tomb consisted of the burial chamber and a mound that had been poured over it. This could be bounded by an outer stone enclosure.

The megalithic tomb as a traditional place
The megalithic tomb of Süpplingenburg has obviously been considered a sacred place during later periods. For example, five urns from the 3rd century AD have been found in the margins of the mound that was once piled above the chamber. They prove that Germanic settlers buried their dead in the vicinity and in the protection of the old monument.

Megalithic tombs between Dorm and Elm
Field names such as “am Hühnen” (Hühne = giant) or finds of tuber quartzite blocks on the Petersberg at the Süpplingen cemetery speak for the presence of other megalithic tombs in the vicinity of the village. Between Groß Steinum and Helmstedt once stood many of these monuments and shaped the landscape visible from afar. The Lübbensteine in Helmstedt are today the only preserved megalithic tombs in the original location in the district of Helmstedt.

You can inform yourself about the construction of monuments with the simple technical tools of the Stone Age, on the archeological trail “construction site megalithic tomb” in Groß Steinum.

The reconstructed megaltihic tomb of Groß Steinum 1 is located east of the road from Groß Steinum to Beienrode. The chamber of the passage grave was built in 1960 at the current location of 16 stones, which were uncovered in 1951 at 200 meters away in a field. The long chamber is formed by twelve support stones and roofed by four powerful capstones (one weighs ten tons) of lignite quartzites.

Drive from Groß Steinum on the K12 towards Beienrode and taken the second field track to your right. There is a sign and a small parking lot. Walk from here towards the forest. Turn right and walk along the edge of the forest for about 300m and you’ll reach the site.

Visited April 2019

taken from the information board:

Megalithic tomb at the Dorm
Relocated and reconstructed monument, around 3500 BC

A village and its name
Powerful stone blocks from lignite quartzite such as the Wippstein in the cemetery, the Bockshornklippe above the village and the Kirchberg characterize the village of Groß Steinum. Several megalithic tombs from the Stone Age have been excavated on its boundaries. All sorts of stories tell of giants who have designed the landscape around the village with stones. Also, a giant king at the dorm is to be buried under a large stone.

A megalithic tomb near Groß Steinum
The stones of the reconstructed megalithic tomb were excavated in 1950 and 1951 200m southwest of the current location on a field. The archeological investigation by the then regional archaeologist Dr. Alfred Tode released 17 stones of a stone grave, including a capstone weighing 200 hundredweight. The stones were, however, very much shifted. Since they bothered plowing, they had been rearranged or buried again and again in modern times. Numerous scattered human bones and some potsherds were traces of the funerals from around 3500 BC.

A megalithic tomb is moving
In the cold February of 1952, the stones of the studied tomb were moved from the field to the edge of the Dorm. It was an early attempt at experimental archeology. With hard-frozen ground and lightly thickened snow cover, the locals moved the boulders on a sledge with hoists, heavy ropes, and log rolls. This was then pulled by a team of oxen to the edge of the forest. The experiment proved that it was possible to transport the stones with simple technical aids.

Reconstruction of the megalithic tomb
In 1960, the megalithic tomb was rebuilt. The excavator reconstructed a burial chamber with four capstones, 5 pairs of support stones on the long sides, 2 end stones and an entrance on one long side. Due to the strongly disturbed position of the stones of the Groß Steinum tomb a safe reconstruction was not possible. Therefore, the excavator based his reconstruction largely on the well-preserved northern grave of Lübbensteine in Helmstedt.

Megalithic tombs between Elm and Dorm
The Lübbensteine near Helmstedt are today the only megalithic tombs in the district of Helmstedt preserved at the original location. Through excavations, historical sources and field names it is known that once stood between Groß Steinum and Helmstedt a large number of such monuments, which shaped the landscape visible from afar.

Nordsteimke was discovered in 1968 by a farmer plowing his field and excavated in 1969 by the archaeologist Franz Niquet. The grave was reconstructed in 1975 built in the village at the school center, but relocated due to expansion work in 2008 to the outskirts, where it can be visited today. However, since no final excavation report has ever been submitted and, in addition, steel and concrete were used in the reconstruction, the reconstruction can not be considered as true to the original. However, dolmens in eastern Lower Saxony are a rather rare form of a megalithic tomb.

The tomb is located in the southern part of Nordsteimke, a district of Wolfsburg, in the Steinbeker Straße next to a cycle path.

Visited April 2019

In the northwest of Großenrode you can visit a reconstruction of Großenrode I.

To get to the reconstruction, drive from Großenrode on the K425 towards Moringen. About 350m after you leave the village there is a small parking lot on the right side of the road next to a sign (“Totenhütte”).

Visited April 2019

Excavated in 1988, Großenrode I represents a grave type distributed mainly in east Central Germany (“Mauerkammergrab”). One key feature of this type is a construction consisting of wood and dry stone walls. The building up of the county road 425 led between 1988 and 1990 to several emergency excavations (for the results see links below). At the southern end of Großenrode an original stone of the tomb, a replica of a stone with soul hole and an information board was set up.

Visited April 2019

Winterfeld is a rectangular passage grave consisting of six pairs of support stones and an trapezoidal enclosure. The current state of preservation is good, a part of the enclosure is missing, as capstones. The tomb was excavated and reconstructed several times. The enclosure is northeast-southwest orientated, the reconstructed length was at least 54 m, preserved length is still more than 26 m, width between 5.5 and at least 7.3 m. The rectangular chamber is northeast-southwest orientated and is located in the southwest part of the enclosure. It is about 7.4 m long and and 1.6 – 1,7 m wide. The reconstructed chamber consists of fourteen Support stones and one capstone. The capstone measures about 2.2 m x 1.4 m x 0.4 m.

The tomb is located in the middle of Winterfeld, east of the church, in the parish garden. It is reached by a path that starts at the square next to the voluntary fire brigade and runs along behind the fire station. Look for an information board, leave it on your left hand and look for an iron gate behind the fire brigade building. The gate is secured with a split pin and can be opened at any time to enter the parish garden and to reach the tomb.

Visited March 2019

Nesenitz is probably a grand dolmen with an enclosure. The current state of preservation is moderate to bad. The orientation and dimensions of the enclosure are no longer traceable today, since no enclosure stones are preserved. The chamber is west-east orientated, 1.9 m wide and at least 4 m long. Five supporting stones and two capstones are preserved.

You drive from Klötze in the direction of Bandau. Approximately 1.4 kilometers behind Klötze turn left towards Nesenitz. After 400 meters, the tomb is on the right of the road in a group of trees.

Visited March 2019

Nettgau is a grand dolmen consisting of four pairs of supporting stones. The current state of preservation is good, a capstone has fallen down, fragments of one or two other capstones lie in or out of the chamber. The rectangular chamber is oriented east-east-west-southwest, 5.3 meters wide and 1.5 meters wide. All eleven support stones and three of formerly probably four capstones are preserved. The largest capstone measures 2.5 m x 1.9 m x 0.8 m. An enclosure was already in 1843 no longer available.

The tomb is located north of a large chipboard factory on a field, but there is no way through the field, you should visit the tomb only after harvesting or before sowing. Drive from Nettgau on the K1127 towards Mellin. About 900 m after Nettgau, turn left on a side street in a northwesterly direction. Follow this road for approximately 1.8 km and pass the factory to your left until the factory site is over and a dirt road turns left. Either park your car here and drive on (not allowed) for 400 m. The tomb is under a group of trees in the field to your left.

Visited March 2019

Lüdelsen 6 is a passage grave consisting of seven pairs of supporting stones and a trapezoidal, in the middle narrower enclosure. The current state of preservation is very good, only a few enclosure stones are fallen over. A stone on the eastern narrow side is no longer fixed, another is missing, as is a support stone. The entrance is not clearly recognizable, because some stones are missing or shifted. The enclosure is east-west orientated and about 35 m long and 5.2 – 8.5 m wide. Fifty of a total of sixty enclosure stones are preserved, almost all of them are exceptionally large. Three of the four cornerstones (“Guardians”) and five other surrounding stones have been fallen over. The rectangular chamber is east-west orientated, 7.9 m long, 1.7 m wide, 1.1 m high and lies in the western end of the enclosure. Fifteen from formerly sixteen support stones and all five capstones are preserved, the biggest capstones measures 2.2 m x 1.9 m x 0.8 m.

You drive from the parking lot at the tombs Lüdelsen 1 to 5 in the direction of Lüdelsen. After about 650 meters there is a small sign with the inscription “Großsteingrab” on the street. Park your car here and follow the north-facing forest path 350 meters to an information board on the nature trail. There, turn left into the path and then reach the complex after about 170 meters.

The site, popularly known as the King’s grave, is one of the largest and best preserved megalithic tombs in the Altmark region. Highly recommended!

Visited March 2019

taken from the “Archäologisch-historischer Wanderweg Lüdelsen (4)” information board:

Site 6 – The King’s Grave

Construction/Burials: Funnel Beaker Culture (around 3700/3600-3300 BC);
Secondary burials: Globular Amphora culture (2800-2600 BC), Iron Age (700-500 BC)

The “King’s Grave” consists of a trapezoidal enclosure of large boulder blocks (38 m x 5-8 m), which surrounds the long hill. Therein lies the almost 9 m long and 2.40 m wide burial chamber (internal height: around 1.50 m). The entrance on the south side of the chamber is only partially preserved.

The mound is multi-phase: The first, about 40 cm high mound was built between 3700-3500 BC. Only some time after the embedding of the approximately 1.30 m high second mound (from 3500-3300 BC) niches were created on the hilltop to position the large enclosre stones there – in this time also the edification of the stone burial chamber. The gaps between the boulders were carefully closed with a dry masonry of split red sandstone slabs. Between 2800-2600 BC the mound was again increased by about 0.50 m and the dry masonry was torn out.

After that the flanks were raised, so that only the upper third of the boulders was visible. At the same time, the chamber for post-burial (late Globular Amphora culture) was probably completely cleared and then filled with sand. An urn from the middle of the chamber dates from the early Iron Age (7th – 6th century BC).

The origins of the “King’s Grave” are older than the megalithic tomb Lüdelsen 3 (Station 2). No tombs were discovered in the mounds, but on the surface of the first two mounds were several smaller shallow depressions of charcoal, the function of which is unknown.

The excavations were carried out in 2009 and 2010 as part of the research project “Megalithic Landscape Altmark”.

Lüdelsen 5 is a grand dolmen consisting of three pairs of supporting stones. The current state of preservation is moderate, one support and two capstones are missing, the mound is nearly eroded. The capstone is sunken and lies lengthwise on the chamber. A nearby stone could belong to a formerly existing enclosure. The rectangular chamber is northwest-southeast orientated, about 2.5 m long and 1.4 m wide. Six of the former eight support stones and one of probably two capstones are present. The remaining capstone measures about 2.2 m x 1.5 m x 0.8 m.

To get to the tomb Lüdelsen 5, go from the parking lot on a forest path, which is located opposite of Lüdelsen 3, back east towards Stöckheim. After about 30 meters you pass Lüdelsen 4 and after another 50 meters you reach the tomb.

Visited March 2019

Lüdelsen 4 is a grand dolmen consisting of three pairs of supporting stones. The current state of preservation is moderate, one support and two capstones are missing, the preserved capstone has sunken. Neither an enclosure nor a mound are recognizable. The chamber is east-west orientated, about 3.3 m long and 1.4 m wide. Seven of the former eight support stones and one of probably three capstones are present. The remaining capstone measures about 1.8 m x 1.1 m.

To get to the tomb Lüdelsen 4, go from the parking lot on a forest path, which is located opposite of Lüdelsen 3, back east towards Stöckheim. After about 30 meters you will reach the tomb.

Visited March 2019

Lüdelsen 3 is a grand dolmen and is located on a southern slope. Before the excavations began, only two capstones and two supporting stones as well as a mound of about 10 m diameter were visible. The tomb is oriented west-northwest-east-southeast.

The excavation revealed that the mound was built in two phases. The diameter of the second, larger mound could be determined to be about 30 m. Likewise, it was possible to identify two enclosures that consist of at least two circles of stones. The inner one could be clearly reconstructed. It consists of 10-40 cm field stones, which were placed in two to three layers on top of each other. The inner mound ends at the first enclosure. An outer row of larger stones is only partially preserved. Their original form is unclear.

In the area of the chamber more supporting stones came to light during the excavation. The chamber measures 4.2 m by 2.6 m on the outside and consists of seven supporting stones on which two capstones rest. Two additional support stones in the east form the entrance, which bends to the north.

The tomb lies only 40 meters north from the parking lot, left of the forest path.

Visited March 2019

taken from the “Archäologisch-historischer Wanderweg Lüdelsen (2)” information board:

Megalithic tomb Lüdelsen site 3

Construction: Funnel Beaker Culture (around 3550 BC);
Burials: Funnel Beaker Culture 3550-3200 BC;
Secondary burials: Single-Grave culture (2400 BC)

The construction of this site with burial chamber, a double or three-row stone embankment and the first mound was around 3550 BC. The chamber construction (inner height approx. 1.0 m) consisted of two capstones, seven support stones for the actual burial chamber and two more for the entrance. The gaps between the stones were filled with split wedge-shaped granite stones (dry-stone walling). The outer joints were carefully closed with 2-5 cm, smashed flint fragments. The larger splinters between chamber and entrance stones filled the builders with simple field stones. The two stone enclosures, built at the same time, formed with the entrance stones a court in front of the chamber, delimited to the outside by a freestanding menhir. The inner stone encirlce formed the boundary of the first, older mound. It reached to the lower edge of the capstones, which remained uncovered and visible. Finds (broken pieces and a cross-cutting arrowhead) from the non-paved chamber floor are from the first burials (Funnel Beaker Culture). The last funeral took place around 2400 BC (Single-Grave culture). In this context, a second mound of almost 30 m in diameter was built up, which completely covered the first mound and both stone enclosures. The capstones, however, were still visible. Since that time the chamber remained undisturbed. Findings from the area around the tomb prove that the people visited the site in the Bronze and Iron Age again and again.

After the complete excavation in 2007, the megalithic grave was rebuilt in 2008 on the basis of the excavation plans.

Lüdelsen 2 is a grand dolmen consisting of three pairs of supporting stones and an oval enclosure. The current state of preservation is moderate, due to destruction during the road building numerous supporting and enclosure stones are missing or are fallen over. The capstones have sunk into the chamber and broken. The chamber is east-west orientated, the length is not reconstructable, width 8.5 m. From the enclosure eleven stones are preserved.

The tomb is opposite the parking lot in close proximity to the road.

Visited March 2019

Lüdelsen 1 is one of the most southerly and the only polygonal grand dolmen that still exists today in Saxony-Anhalt. A Polygonal dolmen is a subspecies of the dolmen, which can be found especially in the north of the Danish island Seeland, in the Swedish province of Bohuslän, on the Kimbrian peninsula (eg Troldkirken in Jutland) and in Schleswig-Holstein (11 preseved tombs).

The current state of preservation is good, the edges of the hill are plowed, giving it a pointed-oval shape. An enclosure (Hunebed) probably has never existed. The chamber is northwest-southeast orientated and measures 2.5 m × 1.2 m with a visible height of 0.6 m. The size of the capstone is 2.9 m × 2.2 m × 1.0 m. On the capstone, which shape is responsible for the arrangement of the support stones, there are many small cup marks.

To get to the tomb Lüdelsen 1, go from the parking lot on a forest path, which is located opposite of Lüdelsen 3, back east towards Stöckheim. After about 30 meters you pass Lüdelsen 4 and after another 50 meters Lüdelsen 5. Lüdelsen 1 is then about 70 meters further, already in the field, on a small mound under a group of trees.

Visited March 2019

The megalithic tombs at Lüdelsen are a group of six more or less preserved tombs near the village Lüdelsen in the Altmark region (Salzwedel, Saxony-Anhalt). Two more tombs were destroyed in the 19th century. There may have been a ninth tomb, whereupon the field name “am großen Stein” (at the large stone) could indicate.

The tombs at Lüdelsen form three groups. The first is in a wooded area north of the road to Stöckheim. This group describes a line that runs from east to west, about 200 m long and consists of Lüdelsen 1 to 5. About 2 kilometers after Stöckheim in the direction of Lüdelsen you turn right after the forest has started into a forest road. There is a parking lot.

Lüdelsen 6 (the so-called Königsgrab -> King’s Tomb) is located about 800 m further west. You drive from the parking lot at the graves Lüdelsen 1 to 5 in the direction of Lüdelsen. After about 650 meters there is a small “Großsteingrab” sign on the street. Turn right here and park the car.

South of the road, the now two destroyed tombs lay close to each other.

Visited March 2019

Stöckheim is a grand dolmen consisting of seven pairs of supporting stones and an enclosure. The current state of preservation is good, capstones partially collapsed, most enclosure stones are missing, two supporting stones are fallen over, two supporting stones are missing. Most of the enclosure stones were already missing in 1843 at the time of Danneil, according to his statements they were unusually small. The trapezoidal chamber is north-south orientated and 9.2 m long and 1.8 – 2.2 m wide.

The northern capstone, which is the largest surviving capstone of all megalithic tombs in the Altmark, is still in situ. It is 4.5 m long, 2.9 m wide, 0.8 m thick and weighs about 22 tons. At its southwest corner, it has a deep groove (referred sometimes as blood groove). In its surface over 80 cup marks were incorporated.

The tomb is located about 100 meters behind the village exit of Stöckheim in the direction of Lüdelsen, left of the road and easily accessible via a field path.

Visited March 2019

Bierstedt 1 is a grand dolmen consisting of three pairs of supporting stones and an enclosure. The current state of preservation is moderate, two supporting stones and two capstones are missing, one supporting stone is fallen over. Johann Friedrich Danneil was still able to find an enclosure (Hunebed) in 1843 with a length of 23.0 m and a width of 6.9 m, now all enclosure stones are missing. The rectangular chamber is west-east orientated and 4.6 m long and 1.6 m wide.

The tomb is located 750 m nortwest of Groß Bierstedt, take the field track signposted to Gielitz and follow it for about 250 meters towards the forest. The tomb is then clearly visible on the right, about 75 meters from the path.

Visited March 2019

The current state of preservation of Mehmke 3 is very bad, only a few enclosure and chamber stones are lying around in random order. So a classification is almost impossible. The chamber is oriented northeast-southwest. A total of 14 stones are preserved, including an upright support stone probably from the chamber. The remaining stones can not be matched.

The grave is located about 150m northeast of the megalithic tomb Mehmke 2 in the same field. During my visit, the surrounding trees were trimmed, so that in and around the tomb larger branches lay around, which were not transported away.

Visited March 2019