En uppdatering av döden – En studie kring ombyggnationer och återanvändning av gånggrifter

Abstract

There are several known instances of megalithic graves being rebuilt and reused already in prehistoric time. The aim of this study is to investigate the phenomenom of megalithic reuse through the theorethical framework of social memory. Focus lies on two graves in southern Sweden; Firse sten in Falbygden and Skepparslöv 10 in Scania. The two graves were originally constructed as passage graves but have in different ways been remodified into gallery graves. The phenomenon of megalith-reuse is also analysed on a broader scale from the perspectives of time, space and social functions. In the cases of Firse sten and Skepparslöv 10 I ultimately argue for the reconstruction to be viewed as an honouring act in rememberance of past ancestors rather than a desctructive act.