Yoke (archeology)
In megalithic architecture, the yoke is the combination of two bearing stones and a capstone, as a section of megalithic structures , especially passage graves and large dolmen .
There are two major differences in the chamber structure with natural boulders . In the case of the relatively short systems (two cap stones), the cap stone (s) of the funnel beaker culture systems (TBK) are only placed in three-point support. In the case of longer systems (at least three cap stones), the cap stones can also be placed in the so-called yoke construction (two-point support). Examples with four yokes and two outer three-point supports form the approximately 11.5 m long (longest in Mecklenburg) Chamber of Qualitz and the chamber of the passage grave of Jamel in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania . Emsland chambers have up to 15 yokes .
Since a single, isolated yoke construction made of natural stones is statically unstable, the cap stones of yoke constructions, in addition to the two-point support, lie against each other and are always between areas that consist of statically stable three-point supports. As a rule, these form the ends of the system, but in the case of particularly long systems they also occur in the middle area, for example in the access area . The trilith, worked on all sides (e.g. in Maltese temples) forms the statically stable counterpart to the yoke.
See also
literature
- Ewald Schuldt : The Mecklenburg megalithic graves. Studies on their architecture and function , In: Ewald Schuldt: Contributions to the prehistory and early history of the districts of Rostock, Schwerin and Neubrandenburg , Volume 6, VEB Deutscher Verlag der Wissenschaften, Berlin 1972.
- 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 .