Houdorf
Bregninge Præstegård (Bregninge Rectory) in Svendborg Municipality features archaeological evidence primarily related to a settlement dating to the Bronze Age (1100 – 500 BC). A museum excavation conducted in 1983 uncovered a small portion of this hilltop settlement, revealing several pits and post holes. Finds included pottery from the Late Bronze Age, Period V, although the total extent of structures belonging to this specific period remains undetermined. The Bronze Age settlement layer was found to be overlaid by later activities, including a slag pit. It is presumed that the main area of the ancient habitation is located within the current rectory garden, west of the excavated area.
The location is also distinguished by a large Round Barrow (Gravhøj) situated within the private garden of the Bregninge Church Rectory. This monumental mound measures about 4 meters high and 28 meters in diameter. While confirmed as a burial mound in 1877, its most notable feature is a path known as a Sneglegang (spiral path) that leads from the foot to the flat summit. This spiral ramp is generally interpreted not as an ancient feature, but as a landscaped path, likely constructed during the 17th or 18th century to access a summer house (lysthus) that maps suggest once stood atop the barrow. Historical records indicate the mound’s fill includes kitchen midden layers, thick charcoal, and seashell remnants. The barrow remains a protected ancient monument.
National danish database for ancient sites and finds
Æbleskivestenen (apple slice Stone) is a large erratic boulder approximately three meters long and two meters wide. The stone features no less than 105 distinct cup marks (skåltegn) carved into its surface, though older records sometimes mention 83 depressions. These cup marks are the most common form of rock carvings found in the Danish region, typically dated to the Bronze Age.
While their precise meaning remains enigmatic, they are widely interpreted as sacred fertility symbols and are strongly linked to the period’s concentration on sun worship and religious ceremonies vital for the inhabitants’ prosperity. The stone itself served as a powerful gathering spot for these cultic activities.
Æbleskivestenen was one of the earliest sites to receive official protection, being voluntarily preserved in 1875, decades before the general cultural heritage law of 1937.
In 1875, Theobald Weber created a small, circular enclosure around the stone, utilizing 13 to 14 smaller quernstones found in the area to complete the monument. The site, which holds great national importance, remains openly accessible.
National danish database for ancient sites
Hagbard and Signe
The story of »Hagbard and Signe« is a well-known Nordic legend about a pair of lovers who are unable to be together because their families are feuding, ultimately choosing to die together. The basic narrative is similar to Shakespeare’s »Romeo and Juliet«. The legend is primarily known from two main sources: Saxo Grammaticus’s »Gesta Danorum« (around the year 1200) and a medieval folk ballad, “Hagbard og Signe,” which was sung throughout the Nordic region. This ballad is number 20 (DgF 20) in Svend Grundtvig’s comprehensive collection, »Danmarks gamle Folkeviser«.
The story revolves around Hagbard, son of King Håmund, and Signe (also called Signelille), daughter of King Siger (or Sigvard). Their families are enemies, and after a battle between their brothers ends in a draw, Hagbard meets and falls in love with Signe, who secretly promises to marry him.
The folk ballad version begins with Hagbard having a prophetic dream in which he is in heaven with Signe, but they fall through the sky. An “Elven Datter” (daughter of the elves) interprets the dream, predicting that he will win the maiden but must die for her. Undeterred, Hagbard disguises himself in women’s clothing to enter King Sigvard’s court and be near Signe. Signe’s father, King Sigvard, allows the disguised Hagbard to stay with his daughter to learn needlework but warns them both to beware of Hagbard, who is a cunning suitor.
During the evening, an evil serving maid (“den arge Terne”) grows suspicious of the “maiden” who carves wood expertly, drinks heavily, and has strong hands and piercing eyes. Later that night, Hagbard and Signe are together and confess their love for each other. Hagbard reveals his identity, explaining he came in disguise because Signe’s father had threatened to hang him. The evil maid overhears their conversation, steals Hagbard’s sword and armor while he sleeps, and informs King Sigvard.
The king’s men attack, and though Hagbard fights bravely with bedposts, he is eventually captured. He breaks every bond used to restrain him until the evil maid suggests binding him with a lock of Signe’s hair. His love for her is so strong that he will not break the hair, and he is finally subdued.
Sentenced to be hanged, Hagbard makes a final request to Signe: when she sees him on the gallows, she should set fire to her bower. As he is led to the gallows, he asks that his red cloak be hung up first to test Signe’s promise. Seeing the cloak, Signe believes Hagbard is dead, sets her chamber on fire, and dies in the flames with her maids. When Hagbard sees the fire, he knows Signe has kept her word and goes gladly to his death. King Sigvard, realizing too late how powerful their love was, deeply regrets his actions and orders the treacherous serving maid to be buried alive.
The tale of Hagbard and Signe’s faithful love has been known in the Nordic countries for over a thousand years and was considered an ancient memory even to the pagan forefathers. References to the story, such as a kenning for “gallows” being “Signe’s man’s cold horse,” appear in a Norwegian poem from around 900 CE. While the legend’s precise origin is unknown, name forms like “Hagbard” suggest a continental German origin.
The setting of the legend has been claimed by many locations across Scandinavia, including Sigersted in Zealand, Denmark; several sites in Sweden; and Engeløya in Norway. Various landmarks, such as burial mounds and stones, are associated with the characters.
The legend has inspired later works, including Adam Oehlenschläger’s tragedy »Hagbarth og Signe« (1815) and Gabriel Axel’s film »The Red Mantle« (1967). In modern times, an amateur play about the couple is performed every other year on the Norwegian island of Engeløya.
da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagbard_og_Signe
kalliope.org/en/text/folkeviser2018041012
The locality is identified as a Round Barrow (Rundhøj) dating to the bronze age. It is situated in Ringsted Kommune. The site was protected before 1937. Public access, a parking lot, and a sign identifying the ancient monument are available. Museum Vestsjælland is listed as the responsible museum for the locality. The Slots- og Kulturstyrelsen is also mentioned in the context of contact information.
The mound is described as a very large, significant earth mound. Measurements have varied across different surveys; for instance, in 1877 it was estimated to be approximately 100 feet in diameter and 20 feet high, while a 1983 measurement noted its dimensions as approximately 6.25 x 32 x 32 meters. It is rounded and vaulted. The mound is located high in the landscape on the edge of a slope down toward the Suså river near the mouth of the Tuelså.
The surface of the mound is very irregular. It has historically been severely damaged.
The mound was previously harmed because its Northeast side was used as a shooting embankment, resulting in the removal of turf and soil. Furthermore, the mound has been mutilated by cattle trampling the vegetation, which created and deepened various holes and depressions.
Preservation Efforts: Due to the damage, it was noted that this magnificent mound would be completely destroyed over time, and the erection of a fence was recommended. By 1983, the mound was noted to be lying within a smaller enclosure with grass.
In 1877, a large depression about 5 feet deep was noted in the center of the upper part of the mound. In 1883, it was recorded that stones that once surrounded the mound were taken around 1840 to Alsted Mølle, though remnants could still be traced toward the West.
The site has been subject to multiple museum surveys and other activities by the Nationalmuseet:
1877: A survey found a couple of flakes and pieces of Stone Age pottery shards inside the holes in the mound.
1883: A survey referred to the mound as “Habors (Hagbards) Høj,” noting the removal of surrounding stones around 1840.
1940: A survey documented the specific measurements (6.25 x 32 m) and detailed the damage caused by the shooting embankment and cattle.
1983: A new survey was conducted, noting the mound’s large size, multiple overgrown depressions, and its beautiful location.
2011: Periodic supervision of the protected locality was conducted by Roskilde Museum, noting the large burial mound with grass and heather and its beautiful location.
The mound is highlighted as a significant sight due to its great size and its location near other monuments on the ridge by the river valley.
The landscape at Gammel Hestehave (Gl. Hestehave) has historically held significance, with the first settlements established along the coastline 5,000 years ago. The importance of the area is most clearly evidenced during the late Stone Age and early Bronze Age (1900–1100 BC), when settlements relocated slightly further inland. The Gl. Hestehave settlement functioned as a crucial community (bygd) and an important meeting place situated by the Svendborg Sound, offering views of the islands Thurø and Tåsinge.
During the early Bronze Age (1700–1100 BC), a monumental burial field was constructed, containing 23 burial mounds (gravhøje) of varying sizes. The mounds served as the setting for the village community. At that time, the area was open countryside, allowing the mounds to be seen widely from places like the islands Thurø, Tåsinge, and beyond.
Building the mounds was a labor-intensive project that extended over a long period, requiring the entire community to share the undertaking of construction and burials. The mounds were likely built on pasture, using carefully cut grass turf. The largest mounds required tens of thousands of turf squares, which resulted in the surrounding land becoming infertile for an extended period.
The mounds vary greatly in size. The largest are approximately 4 meters high with diameters spanning between 25 and 30 meters, while the smallest range from 0.5 to 1.5 meters high and measure 12 to 20 meters in diameter. These large burial mounds were built over one, two, or more graves, though none have been professionally examined. The area also features a small stone cist and a cup mark stone (“Æbleskivestenen”) marked with carved holy signs.
The construction of thousands of enormous burial mounds across Denmark was a clear expression of the superior skills of the new Bronze Age society. This period, which began 4,000 years ago, witnessed the emergence of ranked societies in Southern Scandinavia and Central Europe, where power and status were demonstrated through the use of gold and bronze. Chosen men and women were buried with fine weaponry and jewelry as grave goods, and sacrifices were made to powers responsible for fertility. Due to specific construction techniques that preserved the deceased’s chest, Denmark possesses a unique collection of 3,800-year-old costumes, including tunics and cloaks for men and various dresses and blouses for women.
The settlement at Gl. Hestehave participated in European trade, with residents sailing out to engage with continental contacts. Exotic acquisitions, such as harness decorations, may have been displayed during special events and processions. Furthermore, the area functioned as a casting site, where remains of several casting molds and a large crucible have been found. The bronze casting technology was advanced, involving stamping metal pieces in a wax model, covering it with a clay mold, and then melting the wax out to create an imprint for the liquid bronze.
Regarding settlement structure, new building practices arose, with people predominantly living on scattered, individual farmsteads. Some longhouses were exceptionally large, reaching up to 500 square meters, potentially accommodating the leading families of the community.
Today, the area is used for recreational activities such as hiking, dog walking, and mountain bike trails in the forest. It is also equipped with benches and explanatory signs for visitors.
National danish database for ancient sites
The stone cist (stenkiste, hellekiste) is located in Gamle Hestehave (Old Horsegarden) east of Svendborg, Denmark, among several large and smaller burial mounds. It is situated between two of the larger mounds.
The cist dates from the end of the Stone Age. It is categorized as Late Neolithic, corresponding to the »Dagger time« (2400–2800 BC), or more specifically, 2400–1800 BCE. Archaeological dating places it roughly between 2350 and 1700 B.C..
The stone cist was discovered and excavated in 1934 following an announcement from the plantation owner, J.H. Weber, that a burial chamber had been found during work in a fruit plantation.
The cist itself was uncovered in a nearly vanished mound; the mound that once covered the grave has now disappeared.
The cist was a late Neolithic stone cist (hellekiste). It was approximately 2.2 x 1.6 m (or 2.5 x 1.3 m according to a 1983 description).
It was carefully constructed of large flat stones. The eastern long side, for instance, consisted of a single very long flat stone.
The cist was oriented NNV-SSØ (or NV/SØ in 1983) and was defined at the south end by two low threshold stones. It was noted that the cist lacked capstones (dæksten).
The grave chamber contained the remains of skeletons from many funerals, specifically the remains of at least four skeletons. Excavators noted that older burials had been cleared aside to accommodate the last interred individual.
Grave goods found in the cist included: Two flint daggers (flintdolke), and a small pendant of slate (skiferhængesmykke). This pendant was found later in the soil piles left over from the 1934 excavation.
The site is a protected monument, having been officially protected in 1937 or later. However, the stone cist is now largely obscured. Multiple surveys have noted that it is completely covered by brambles (brombær), making the stones almost invisible. As recently as 2019, the ancient monument was found as described in previous reports.
National danish database for ancient sites
The Vester Aaby Megalithic Tomb (Dysse) is a significant Neolithic burial monument situated on a field near Strandvejen in Vester Åby, Denmark. It is dated to the Stone Age, between 3950 and 2800 BCE, and is classified as either a round barrow or a dysse/passage grave, with grave goods from 3950-1700 BCE. The site has been protected (fredet) since before 1937 and is overseen by Arkæologi Sydfyn.
The monument features a free-standing, rectangular dysse chamber, oriented North-South. It is constructed from three support stones, one high threshold stone, and one capstone. A pair of larger boulders are positioned in front of the threshold stone. An 1885 survey described the chamber as 4 1/2 feet long and 3 1/3 feet wide at the entrance, with support stones approximately 6 feet wide at the base and 5 feet above ground. The capstone was noted as roughly square, about 6 feet on each side, and up to 5 feet thick.
A more recent 1988 survey provided internal measurements of 2.1 x 1.4 meters with a height of 1.3 meters, confirming the opening in the South. This survey also noted that the southern part of the large capstone had been broken off in ancient times. The remaining section is under threat, exhibiting several water-filled cracks and surface flaking, leading to concerns about frost cracking and a recommendation for a conservation assessment. The dysse includes a small remnant of an earth mound and was identified in 1988 as having been part of an East-West oriented long barrow, estimated to be 25-30 meters long, visible as a lighter fill with crushed flint in the surrounding ploughed field.
The site has been subject to multiple surveys by various national and local museums from 1874 to 2016. It is considered a beautiful and noteworthy dysse chamber, freestanding on a hilltop, and offers a splendid view over the meadows around Hundstrup Å. It is visible from a public road about 100 meters to the East.
National danish database for ancient sites and finds.
The Skjerningehøj (also referred to as Skerninghøj) is an exceptionally well-preserved passage grave (Jættestue/Ganggrab) located in Svanninge on South Funen, Denmark. The structure is dated to the Neolithic Stone Age, specifically between approximately 3950 and 2800 B.C.. It is considered one of the best-preserved passage graves on Funen and serves as an instructive and beautiful example of the structure and interior appearance of such a monument. It is assumed to have been built by people of the Funnelbeaker Culture (Trichterbecherkultur) and likely functioned as a collective burial site and a place for religious rituals over generations.
Skjerningehøj consists of a round, beautiful, and well-preserved burial mound (Rundhøj) which is grass-covered. The dimensions of the mound vary slightly in historical records, being noted as approximately 2.5–2.8 meters high by 28–29 meters in diameter, or 3.5 meters high by 32.0 x 27.0 meters, with an overall height of 2.5 to 3.5 meters and a diameter of 27 to 32 meters.
Within the mound lies an oval stone chamber oriented ENE-WSW (ØNØ-VSV). The chamber measures about 3 x 2 meters and is constructed of nine large supporting stones (sidesten) and two large capstones (overliggere). The gaps between the supporting stones are sealed with stone slabs (tørmur), which are described as being extraordinarily well-preserved. Parts of the capstones are visible on the surface of the mound.
The chamber is accessed from the south via a passage (gang), oriented SSE-NNW (SSØ-NNV). This passage consists of at least four pairs of original supporting stones and is covered by two, presumably original, capstones. Outside the covered section is an open, paved gang, 3–4 meters long, leading down via a stone staircase. Historically, the chamber was closed with an iron door.
The monument has a long history of investigation and restoration:
A private excavation took place in 1812 by which Stone Age tools and “urns with ashes and bone fragments” were found.
The National Museum performed official surveys in 1874, 1885, 1947, and 1987.
Restorations were conducted by the National Museum in 1910 and 1943.
In 2018, officials found that a supporting stone in the passage had tilted forward, causing earth fill to slide into the passage.
Due to safety concerns, access to the chamber was blocked in 2019.
A major restoration was performed in 2023. During this process, the tilted stone was re-erected after a capstone was lifted. It was discovered that traces on an unusually long keystones suggested an attempt to gain access to the passage/chamber at that specific spot had occurred during the 1812 excavation.
Skjerningehøj is a protected site. While part of the mound’s base is cut off to the east by a public road, the site appears well-maintained and currently offers good access from the road.
The passage is somewhat narrow, but the site is now generally accessible again. Visitors are recommended to bring a lamp and wear sturdy clothing to access the unusually beautiful chamber.
In the past, poor condition of the gate and information sign was noted. Furthermore, there has been a recurring desire from both officials and the property owner for improved signage at the site, as it has previously been absent.
