Kong Asgers Høj

Facts

Building boom in passage graves

By Svend Illum Hansen , Bachelor i forhistorisk arkæologi Konservator Tagdækker Sømand (13 stories)

Towering in the landscape on the island of Møn is Kong Asgers Høj (King Asger's Mound"). With its 10-metre-long chamber, this is one of Denmark's largest passage graves. From the road, the long passage into the grave on the eastern side is clearly visible. Kong Asgers Høj was excavated in 1839 by Gustav C. Hage, a grocer from Stege, the main town on Møn. He found a number of flint implements and pots. One megalithic (large-stone) burial chamber was constructed each year over a period of 300-400 years. The distance between the construction sites was relatively short in the years of this building boom. "

Public place

Selected entry

Disappointed treasure hunter

Story written by Svend Illum Hansen

Time / Periode -3250 -3000

2 Comments 0 recommendations

We were fortunate enough to immediately find the entrance, which faces south, but it cost much effort to excavate the compacted clay with which it was almost entirely filled. Inside the passage grave, there were some two feet of loose, dry sand or ash, in which I had anticipated a rich find, but, sad to say, I was disappointed". These were the words written by Hage the grocer in 1839 to the National Museum of Denmark. Only few archaeological specimens were found in the passage grave: a fine battle axe made of rock, a few flint tools and crumbled skeletal remains. But for this old treasure hunter and amateur archaeologist, no one could take away his delight in being the first to enter a chamber where time had stood still for 5,000 years. "

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Comments to the story (1)

Carmen Johnson , more than 2 years ago

Im not sure who Id be talking to Mr Hansen perhaps?, Im planning a trip to Denmark soon, from Canada, and I was wondering about the stone battle axe that was found at the Kong Asgers Hoj site - which museum would it be in - Id like to see it. Also which museums hold artifacts from sites like these - are they local museums or in Copenhagen. thanks for you time Mr. Johnson