Stone giants awaken from their slumber
At first glance, the stone giants, some of which are mossy, only protrude from the ground in fragments. Together with the Antiquities Commission for Westphalia, the town of Beckum would like to draw attention to a special treasure and renew the information signage at the Beckum megalithic tomb.
Exciting insights into the Neolithic period
2 sculptural information elements will draw attention to the stones from a certain distance. On site, visitors can expect exciting insights into a fascinating relic of cultural and historical significance. This means that the sleeping giants no longer seem so inconspicuous, even to laypeople.
Sponsorship and funding
Thanks to an NRW grant and three sponsors, the town of Beckum only bears part of the total costs of 24,000 euros. 11,000 euros come from the Heimat Fund in the funding programme "Heimat. Future. North Rhine-Westphalia - We promote what connects people" programme. Sparkasse Beckum-Wadersloh, the Antiquities Commission for Westphalia of the Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe and the Heimat- und Geschichtsverein Beckum are contributing to the costs.
Stone box tomb to become more visible again
Mayor Michael Gerdhenrich thanked the sponsors at the edge of the ground monument for their contribution. "When you stand in front of it, you don't realise what a special feature you are dealing with. That's why the stone box grave should be more visible again. The extensive information and sculptural elements will ensure this," explained the head of administration.
Integration into the "Path of the Great Stones"
The information elements have not yet been installed; they are to be handed over to the public in a few weeks' time. The texts and graphics on the future plaques are based on minimally invasive excavations by the Antiquities Commission. The historic site will also be integrated into the "Path of the Great Stones" as part of the European "Megalithic Routes".
Monuments made of boulders rather rare
Originally, the megalithic tomb was 26.5 metres long and 2 metres high. In large parts of Europe, from 5 000 to about 2 000 BC, early farmers built various monuments from megaliths, including burial sites that were covered by earthen mounds. These were both burial sites and places of encounter. Such stone structures are among the oldest preserved architectural monuments and bear witness to the efforts of Neolithic people. The construction of such a megalithic tomb meant precise planning and great logistical effort involving many people. Limestone or sandstone slabs were more common, not erratic blocks as in Beckum. Another reason to draw more attention to this place.