Strandet Hovedgaard Children's graves of the late Single Grave Culture in North Jutland, and some social and cultural considerations

Abstract

Abstract This article focuses upon a destroyed barrow with an exceptional number of children's graves. The different types of grave and grave goods are discussed and the development of the barrow described. The finding of a large number of short stone cists at Strandet Hovedgaard is of special research interest, and provides an opportunity to present a survey of several important finds from North Jutland. The explanation of the presence of the children's cemetery is discussed in relation to the problem of the child-adult threshold in traditional societies. The possible social role of children in the late Single Grave Culture is discussed along with other socio-cultural considerations. The analysis indicates that in certain areas entirely new lines of thought may be appropriate with regard to social structure in this phase of the culture. Also two contemporary house sites are briefly presented below.