A rectangular dolmen (German: Rechteckdolmen), extended dolmen (German: erweiteter Dolmen) or enlarged dolmen[1] is a specific type of megalith, rectangular in shape, with upright sidestones and, usually, two capstones. The term rectangular dolmen was coined by Ekkehard Aner[2] and is used especially in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, where dolmens with this type of ground plan primarily occur. A more precise term, however, is extended dolmen, used by Ewald Schuldt and Ernst Sprockhoff, because these types of dolmen also occur with trapezoidal ground plans (e.g. the Gnewitz).
Neolithic monuments are an expression of the culture and ideology of neolithic communities. Their emergence and function are a hallmark of social development.[3]
Rectangular dolmen (above), passage grave with sections and a polygonal dolmen (below)
Whilst the simple dolmen as a rule only had one capstone (but could have two), the rectangular dolmen, which differs primarily in the orientation of its support stones (standing) from the simple dolmen (lying), usually had two capstones (but also can have just one). Once a third capstone is added, it is called a great dolmen (Großdolmen) in Germany. A sub-grouping of this type of dolmen is based on the ever-present entranceway, which, for example, could be designed with a roof-height half stone or single-angle (einwinkelnd) support stones.
Moundsedit
Within long mounds, rectangular dolmens are usually oriented at right angles to the axis of the enclosure. The proportion of rectangular dolmens in round (including oval) mounds, compared with simple dolmens, increases in Schleswig-Holstein from 20% to at least 27%. The proportion of mounds is probably higher, because experience has shown that circular mounds leave fewer traces than stone enclosures. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, however only two of the 20 "extended dolmens" surveyed by E. Schuldt were covered by round mounds.
Most types of dolmen that form part of the Nordic megalith architecture genre are open at one end (i.e. are accessible). Occasionally, a short passage is built in front of the chamber, often of just one or two pairs of stones of 1.0-1.5 metres in length. Even at undisturbed sites, it is often so short that it does not extend out as far as the stones of the enclosure or the stones around the mound, and just forms the ante-chamber to the main chamber. The place in the enclosure where one would have expected there to be a gap is closed, so that the stone in the row forming a side of the enclosure would have to be removed in order the get into the dolmen.
Monte Bubbonia dolmen, Sicily
In Denmark and Sweden, the passages could be much longer, especially in the round mounds that are much more common there. In Sicily, Monte Bubbonia dolmen is a chambered tomb 2.20 mt length, made of colossal splinters of rock, with no significant modifications, in rectangular shape.[4]
Distributionedit
Rectangular dolmens, which are generally over 2 metres, and sometimes over 3 metres, in length and 0.9 to 1.5 metres wide, continued the trend of increasing the size of the interior of the chamber, a tendency already seen in the development of simple dolmens. About 145 of these chambers occur in Schleswig-Holstein, where it the most common type of dolmen. It is also found throughout the entire coastal region and on the East Frisian Islands and its distribution reaches the Elbe south of Lake Plön, where it is also seen south of the river in Lower Saxony. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, 54 extended dolmens have survived of an estimated 98 formerly.
Rectangular dolmens also occur in groups within stone enclosures. Whilst in Denmark up to five dolmens may be found in one enclosure (Stenbjerggård Barrow), in Germany the sites at Waabs in the district of Rendsburg-Eckernförde has three rectangular dolmens and the one at Kampen on Sylt has three polygonal dolmens in a single enclosure (both are in Schleswig-Holstein). A far greater number of enclosures, but also a few round mounds, have two dolmens or chambers.
^Bakker, JA (1992). The Dutch Hunebedden, University of Michigan.
^This detailed classification of dolmens into subtypes is only common in Germany. In the Netherlands and Poland these types do not occur. In Denmark and Sweden a distinction is only made between dolmens (Dysse, Döse) and passage graves. In Denmark the type of mound is used to distinguish dolmens in the nomenclature (Runddysse and Langdysse)
^Salvatore Piccolo, Ancient Stones: The Prehistoric dolmens of Sicily, Brazen Head Publishing, Thornham/Norfolk 2013, pp. 9-12
Literatureedit
Mamoun Fansa: Großsteingräber zwischen Weser und Ems. 3rd revised edition. Isensee, Oldenburg, 2000, ISBN3-89598-741-7 (Archäologische Mitteilungen aus Nordwestdeutschland. Beiheft 33).
Michael Schmidt: Die alten Steine. Reisen zur Megalithkultur in Mitteleuropa. Hinstorff, Rostock, 1998, ISBN3-356-00796-3.
Jürgen E. Walkowitz: Das Megalithsyndrom. Europäische Kultplätze der Steinzeit. Beier & Beran, Langenweißbach, 2003, ISBN3-930036-70-3 (Beiträge zur Ur- und Frühgeschichte Mitteleuropas. 36).
October 29, 2023
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A rectangular dolmen German Rechteckdolmen extended dolmen German erweiteter Dolmen or enlarged dolmen 1 is a specific type of megalith rectangular in shape with upright sidestones and usually two capstones The term rectangular dolmen was coined by Ekkehard Aner 2 and is used especially in the German state of Schleswig Holstein where dolmens with this type of ground plan primarily occur A more precise term however is extended dolmen used by Ewald Schuldt and Ernst Sprockhoff because these types of dolmen also occur with trapezoidal ground plans e g the Gnewitz Neolithic monuments are an expression of the culture and ideology of neolithic communities Their emergence and function are a hallmark of social development 3 Rectangular dolmen above passage grave with sections and a polygonal dolmen below Contents 1 Capstones and passageway 2 Mounds 3 Entrances 4 Distribution 5 See also 6 References 7 LiteratureCapstones and passageway editWhilst the simple dolmen as a rule only had one capstone but could have two the rectangular dolmen which differs primarily in the orientation of its support stones standing from the simple dolmen lying usually had two capstones but also can have just one Once a third capstone is added it is called a great dolmen Grossdolmen in Germany A sub grouping of this type of dolmen is based on the ever present entranceway which for example could be designed with a roof height half stone or single angle einwinkelnd support stones Mounds editWithin long mounds rectangular dolmens are usually oriented at right angles to the axis of the enclosure The proportion of rectangular dolmens in round including oval mounds compared with simple dolmens increases in Schleswig Holstein from 20 to at least 27 The proportion of mounds is probably higher because experience has shown that circular mounds leave fewer traces than stone enclosures In Mecklenburg Vorpommern however only two of the 20 extended dolmens surveyed by E Schuldt were covered by round mounds Entrances editMost types of dolmen that form part of the Nordic megalith architecture genre are open at one end i e are accessible Occasionally a short passage is built in front of the chamber often of just one or two pairs of stones of 1 0 1 5 metres in length Even at undisturbed sites it is often so short that it does not extend out as far as the stones of the enclosure or the stones around the mound and just forms the ante chamber to the main chamber The place in the enclosure where one would have expected there to be a gap is closed so that the stone in the row forming a side of the enclosure would have to be removed in order the get into the dolmen nbsp Monte Bubbonia dolmen SicilyIn Denmark and Sweden the passages could be much longer especially in the round mounds that are much more common there In Sicily Monte Bubbonia dolmen is a chambered tomb 2 20 mt length made of colossal splinters of rock with no significant modifications in rectangular shape 4 Distribution editRectangular dolmens which are generally over 2 metres and sometimes over 3 metres in length and 0 9 to 1 5 metres wide continued the trend of increasing the size of the interior of the chamber a tendency already seen in the development of simple dolmens About 145 of these chambers occur in Schleswig Holstein where it the most common type of dolmen It is also found throughout the entire coastal region and on the East Frisian Islands and its distribution reaches the Elbe south of Lake Plon where it is also seen south of the river in Lower Saxony In Mecklenburg Western Pomerania 54 extended dolmens have survived of an estimated 98 formerly Rectangular dolmens also occur in groups within stone enclosures Whilst in Denmark up to five dolmens may be found in one enclosure Stenbjerggard Barrow in Germany the sites at Waabs in the district of Rendsburg Eckernforde has three rectangular dolmens and the one at Kampen on Sylt has three polygonal dolmens in a single enclosure both are in Schleswig Holstein A far greater number of enclosures but also a few round mounds have two dolmens or chambers See also editNordic megalith architectureReferences edit Bakker JA 1992 The Dutch Hunebedden University of Michigan This detailed classification of dolmens into subtypes is only common in Germany In the Netherlands and Poland these types do not occur In Denmark and Sweden a distinction is only made between dolmens Dysse Dose and passage graves In Denmark the type of mound is used to distinguish dolmens in the nomenclature Runddysse and Langdysse J Muller In Varia neolithica VI 2009 p 15 Salvatore Piccolo Ancient Stones The Prehistoric dolmens of Sicily Brazen Head Publishing Thornham Norfolk 2013 pp 9 12Literature editMamoun Fansa Grosssteingraber zwischen Weser und Ems 3rd revised edition Isensee Oldenburg 2000 ISBN 3 89598 741 7 Archaologische Mitteilungen aus Nordwestdeutschland Beiheft 33 Michael Schmidt Die alten Steine Reisen zur Megalithkultur in Mitteleuropa Hinstorff Rostock 1998 ISBN 3 356 00796 3 Jurgen E Walkowitz Das Megalithsyndrom Europaische Kultplatze der Steinzeit Beier amp Beran Langenweissbach 2003 ISBN 3 930036 70 3 Beitrage zur Ur und Fruhgeschichte Mitteleuropas 36 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rectangular dolmen amp oldid 1133397079, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
