Prehistoric Activities in Megalithic Graves in Falbygden, Sweden

Abstract

The different types of use of megalithic graves are discussed in this article. Based on new AMS analyses and the re-examination of materials from excavated graves in Falbygden, a multitude of later modifications and activities are demonstrated. A long-term perspective of the use of dolmens, passage graves and the less studied gallery graves is applied and it is shown that the extent as well as the location of activity differed during the various periods. In this study, it is argued that the reuse of megalithic graves occurs more often than previously described and also that times of abandonment needs to be considered. The analyses indicate that despite similarities to several megalithic areas in Sweden, the prehistory of Falbygden is unique. In contrast to other regions, there is a significant level of megalithic reuse during the second part of the Late Neolithic. The results imply that the monumentality of the graves, which has often been claimed in previous research, is of less importance. Instead, megalithic graves were transformed through time and adapted to the prevailing practices.