Updated December 3, 2000
Model of complex passage-grave
evolution
(3320-2970
B.C./2630-2400 b.c.)
Complex chambers are confined to Denmark,[26] indicating a long regional evolution that would be expected in the core area where megalithic chamber architecture had the longest time to evolve. They have not undergone explicit classification and the model is rather provisional.
Passage-graves with side- and end-chambers (3320 B.C./2630 b.c. and 3300 B.C./2620 b.c. ): Additions to the basic chamber architecture appear rather early. The side-chamber passage-graves Karby Sb. 6, Thisted (Hansen 1993:131 Fig. 172), and Gundestrup 20 (Fig. 15) could have developed by 3320 B.C./2630 b.c. Fjelsø's side-chamber indicates the transition from side to end-chambers (Fig. 16). The earliest end-chambers could date to ca. 3300 B.C./2620 b.c. The evolution of passage-graves with end-chambers parallels that of simple passage-graves and includes ever larger and more complex structures as exemplified by Ormehøj, East Jylland (Fig. 17) and Kornerup, Sjælland,[27] reaching its climax with Hvissehøj (Fig. 18), Ubby 29 (Fig. 21), and Gundestrup 21 (Fig. 22).
Double passage-graves (3290 B.C./2610 b.c.): Double passage-graves arise from the tradition of adding side- and end-chambers, as well as building multiple chambers next to each other and covering them with a single mound. They evolve during the use of two- and three-capstone primeval passage-graves. Their evolution can be traced in Gl. Holbæk a., Northwest Sjælland. There the pair of three-capstone chambers Rørby Sb. 12 (Fig. 19) still have separate end-stones, but these end-stones are straddled by a single large capstone, making the two chambers a protodouble passage-grave. The two parts of the double passage-grave Ormshøj, Årby Sb. 3, share the same end-stone (Fig. 20).[28] Hansen (1993) illustrates a total of eighteen double passage-graves on Sjælland, where Brøndsted (1957) had mapped the highest concentration just south of Kalundborg as part of a total of 57 such chambers found from northern Jylland to Møn.
Triple passage-graves (3260 B.C./2580 b.c.): The sequence and dating of this and the following two categories is highly provisional and considerable overlap is likely, but the result of the above described agglutination process logically leads to the architecture of the now destroyed triple passage-grave Ubby 29 (Fig. 21).[29] Located in the center of the Danish double passage-grave distribution, the double (or dual) passage-grave was (later?) joined by a third passage-grave/end-chamber.
Dual-passage chambers 3240 B.C./2570 b.c.: A dual-passage chamber is a single, undivided chamber with two passages exemplified by Bistrup, Southwest Sjælland.[30] Gundestrup 21, Northeast Jylland (Fig. 22)[31] is probably the most complex of this kind of TRB chamber, being the culmination of a long local evolution that started with the side-chamber of nearby Gundestrup 20 (Fig. 15).
Single chamber double passage-graves (3210 B.C./2560 b.c.): A chamber built as a single unit similar to dual-passage chambers, but with internally shared end-stones that divide the chamber in two, is termed a single chamber double passage-grave. Among the more obvious of these are the slightly barbell-shaped Røddinge (Fig. 23) and the rectangular Sneslev Sb. 1 (Fig. 24).[32]
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