Neo Ancient Dolmens

Dolmen in Dummerston

Dolmen in Dummerston

Dolmen in Dummerston

Dolmen in Dummerston

Dolmen in Denmark

5,000 years ago, in the land that is now Denmark, the dead were entombed in boulder chambers. Dolmens, as they are known to archaeologists, were once covered with earth mounds. Exposed by erosion and excavation, many are now visible on the landscape. I’m intrigued by these constructions. A three-boulder base supports a one-boulder roof. The simplest of forms proves to be the strongest and most durable. Dolmens, like the ones at Lindeskov, were reused over many centuries.

Yesterday I constructed a non-commissioned, neo-ancient dolmen in the stone yard - pictured above. It’s made from boulders gathered from the property. The base stones are seated in gravel, 12” below grade. The top stone weighs one ton.