Located in the southeastern portion of the Swedish province of Skåne, The King’s Grave (Kungagraven) near Kivik is what remains of an unusually grand Nordic Bronze Age double burial which roughly 3000 years old. Aside from the age of the structure, the size of the tomb is also fascinating.
With a diameter of 75 meters, it is the largest known burial mound in Sweden.
The entrance to the tomb. Photo Credit
Dated to roughly 1600 BC. Photo Credit
The site was used as a quarry for construction materials until 1748 when two farmers quarrying in the old mound uncovered a 3.25 meters (11 ft) stone tomb, constructed with ten slabs of stone measuring 0.65 meters (2.1 ft.) wide and 1.2 meters (3.9 ft.).
The site measures 75 meters in diameter and it is the largest mound of its type in Sweden. Photo Credit
The stones of the grave facing the grave of Kivik. Photo Credit
The farmers started to dig into it thinking that they may find treasure underground. Rumor said that the two farmers have actually stolen the treasure. They were even arrested by the authorities and interrogated for it.
However, the two men denied having found anything, and as no evidence could be provided against them, they were released.
Stones within the cairn of Kivik. Photo Credit
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Rock carving. Photo Credit
The scenes are thought to represent Bronze Age mortuary rituals, religious symbols, and grave goods. Photo Credit
The mound contained two cists which are adorned with petroglyphs which show people and ships, weapons, lurs being played, symbols, animals (including birds and fish), and a chariot drawn by two horses and having four-spoked wheels.
In the 1930s, archaeological investigations of the tomb were carried out, led by Gustaf Hallstrom. It turned out that the large mound contained another burial chamber now called Prinskammaren – The Prince’s Chamber, due to its smaller size.
One of the ten slabs of stone shows a horse drawn chariot with two four-spoked wheels. Photo Credit
Whether the tomb had been robbed of valuables is uncertain. Photo Credit
After the excavation, the tomb was restored, but no one knows whether it looks similar to its original state. Photo Credit
The mound was reconstructed and opened a passage to allow visitors to tour the once hidden burial chamber.
In spite of the facts that the site has been used as a quarry, with its stones carried off for other uses, and that it was restored carelessly once it was known to be an ancient burial, these two burials are unique.