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Riksantikvarieämbetet

Riksantikvarieämbetet

The Lugnaro Mound

Lugnaro Mound in the county of Halland illustrates how ancient people imagined the dividing line between life and death. Visitors can enter the restored grave, and go inside the mound via a cottage called Lugnaro. At the bottom of the mound, there is a ship-shaped circle of stones, probably a symbol for the final voyage.

When archaeologists examined Lugnaro Mound in 1926, they unexpectedly discovered an eight metre-long stone ship at the bottom. A casket with an urn containing three bronze objects - a miniature dagger, forceps and an awl - was unearthed near the southern railing. The urn contained burnt human and sheep bones as well as a piece of wool cloth. Altogether, researchers have found remains of four people in the mound.

Lugnaro Mound was created in around 700 BC in an area with a large number of ancient monuments and relics. Researchers have mapped out the procedure used to create the grave. After the ground was flattened, stones were placed in a circle, probably at the spot where the bodies were cremated. Two bodies were buried in a first stage. Stones were piled on top of them, and covered by grass. In a second stage, two more bodies were placed in the ground. There could be evidence of additional bodies in a damaged part of the mound.

For a long time, Lugnaro Mound was a neglected monument of a distant era. Excavations were started at the initiative of Victor Ewald, vicar of the region of Eastern Karup. Nowadays, visitors gain access to the burial site through a cottage, which also houses a small exhibition about the excavation.

Inside the ship-shaped grave. In the front stands a tall stone, marking the sternpost

Inside Lugnaro Mound. The photograph was taken after the 1926 conservation.

Photo: ATA


A decorated little dagger, an ornamented forceps and an awl

Some findings from the excavation: a miniature dagger, an ornamented forceps and an awl.

Illustration: Hässler, ATA


For more information

Laholm Tourist Office Rådhuset, Stortorget Box 78 312 22 Laholm Phone: 0430-154 50

Page updated
2009-06-09
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