Birch bark in Danish passage graves

Abstract

ABSTRACT Birch bark has so far been observed in passage graves at eight localities. It appears that the bark had originally lain between all the slabs of the dry walling and the intermediary layer of the chamber; it was folded double, forming two layers, with the fold facing in towards the grave chamber. As the bark was put in place during erection it provides an opportunity for dating the construction. Radiocarbon dates have been obtained for one sample from each of the seven megalithic graves. The graves have an even geographical distribution and as a group they show no constructional divergences from other passage graves. Similarly, the standard of the construction is not exceptional, although two or three of them do have a chamber which is higher than is normal. It is presumed that birch bark was commonly used and was an important element in passage graves, apart from in certain areas where chalk mass was used as a kind of mortar. It is suggested that both the bark and the chalk mass functioned partly...