Domsteinane
Domsteinane in Domsheia, in Sola in Rogaland is the Norwegian version of the wheel grave , which is much more common in Sweden , also called wheel cross grave ( Swedish called Hjulgrav or Hjulkorsgrav ). The Iron Age (500 BC - 550 AD) stone setting in a forest clearing is popularly known as Norway's Stonehenge .
The wheel grave, which was first described as a stone circle by Nils Henrik Sjöborg in 1822 and is now restored, has a diameter of 22.5 m. It was originally formed by 24 menhirs . These stones on the outer edge are 1.0 to 1.2 high and pointed.
In the middle of the wheel is a large flat stone like an altar on two cuboid rocks. Two white quartz blocks were found next to the altar . Around the altar (like a wheel hub) lies a ring made of small round rolling stones . From the inner ring around the altar, eight rows of rolling stones, arranged radially, reach the outer ring like the spokes of a wheel.
Scandinavian stone circles ( called domar rings ) are mostly associated with burials, but no contemporary grave has ever been found in a stone circle. The lack of tombs and the altar also makes it likely for Domsteinane that this monument may have had some other ritual function. Wheel graves are rare in Scandinavia, and Domsteinane is the only one in Norway.
literature
- Jürgen E. Walkowitz: The megalithic syndrome. European cult sites of the Stone Age (= contributions to the prehistory and early history of Central Europe. Vol. 36). Beier & Beran, Langenweißbach 2003, ISBN 3-930036-70-3 .
Web links
Coordinates: 58 ° 52 ′ 20.6 " N , 5 ° 36 ′ 20.2" E