Capeshøj

Capeshøj is a megalithic long barrow from the later Neolithic, situated on western Tåsinge in Denmark. It is the best-preserved long barrow on the island and one of the best preserved in southern Funen. The monument is dated by typological estimate to 3500 BCE to 2800 BCE.

The long barrow is about 36 meters long, 7 meters wide and almost 1,5 meters high. It was originally surrounded by 56 large kerbstones, although several are now missing. Inside is a narrow rectangular burial chamber that was once closed by a capstone, now lost. A dry wall of red sandstone chips once filled the spaces between the kerbstones, and four chips bore cup marks.

Until excavation in 1976-1979, Capeshøj lay hidden beneath a large barrow from the earlier Bronze Age, around 1700-1100 f.Kr. That mound was originally 40 meters in diameter and about 1,6 meters high. The excavation also uncovered four Bronze Age burials containing two bronze swords, two bronze bow-shaped brooches and a double button.

Long barrows in Denmark and southern Sweden were generally built with stone and belonged to the Funnel Beaker culture. In Scandinavia and northern Germany, this building tradition is known as Nordic megalith architecture and appeared mainly between 3500 and 2800 BCE. The purpose of early Neolithic long barrows remains uncertain, though archaeologists have been able to suggest possible explanations.

Capeshøj is a megalithic long barrow in Svendborg Municipality, Denmark. Wikidata describes it as: ancient monument in Svendborg Municipality (8763). A typological estimate: 3500 BCE to 2800 BCE. No English Wikipedia article exists for it; the full text below is the Danish article "Capeshøj", shown in the original language.