The true dolmen is extremely rare in Germany, and only occurs in small groups in particular localities.  The corridor-tomb with a distinct chamber is also very exceptional, especially east of the Elbe.  The most usual type of megalithic tomb is that known as the Huenenbett or Riesenbett.  The latter name means Giants’ Bed, and it seems probable that the former should be similarly translated, despite the suggested connection with the Huns, for a word Huenen has been in use in North Germany for several centuries with the meaning of giants.  A Huenenbett consists of a rectangular (rarely oval or round) hill of earth covering a megalithic tomb.  This is a simple elongated rectangle in shape, made of upright blocks and roofed with two or more cover-slabs.  The great Huenenbett or Grewismuehlen in Mecklenburg has a mound measuring 150 feet by 36 with a height of 5 feet.  On the edge of the mound are arranged forty-eight tall upright blocks of stone.

The Huenenbetter of the Altmark are among the best known and explored.  Here the corridors are usually about 20 feet long, though in rare cases they reach a length of 40 feet.  Each is filled with clean sand up to two-thirds of its height, and on this lie the bodies and their funeral deposit.  The bodies must have been laid flat, though not necessarily in an extended position, as there was not room above the sand for them to have been seated upright.  Various implements of flint have been found in the tombs together with stone hammers and vases of pottery.  There is no certain instance of the finding of metal.

A book printed by John Picardt at Amsterdam in 1660 contains quaint pictures of giants and dwarfs engaged in the building of a megalithic monument which is clearly a Huenenbett.  According to tradition the giants, after employing the labour of the dwarfs, proceeded to devour them. Huenenbetter similar to those shown in Picardt’s illustrations are still to be seen in Holland, but only in the north, where over fifty are known.  They are of elongated rectangular form, built of upright blocks, and roofed with from two to ten cover-slabs.  They all widen slightly towards the west end.  The most perfect example still remaining is that of Tinaarloo, and the largest is that of Borger, which contains forty-five blocks, of which ten are cap-stones.  Several Huenenbetter have been excavated.  In them are found pottery vases, flint celts, axes and hammers of grey granite, basalt, and jade.

Belgium possesses several true dolmens, of which the best known is that called La Pierre du Diable on the right bank of the Meuse.  Near Luettich are two simple corridor-tombs, each with a round hole in one of the end-slabs and a small portico outside it.

CHAPTER V

FRANCE, SPAIN, AND PORTUGAL