Did you know that beneath our feet lies a tale of ancient kings and plundered treasures? We stand before Kong Arrilds Høj a massive burial mound in Harrislee near Flensburg. This impressive structure is the largest of a group of four burial mounds dating back to the Early Bronze Age. Imagine its imposing size once measuring approximately 45 meters across and 45 meters high.
Kong Arrilds Høj was not always this diminished. It was originally surrounded by a ring of inward-leaning border stones. Archaeologists uncovered a remarkably preserved oak coffin during a 1940 excavation. The coffin itself was a hollowed-out oak trunk nearly 3 meters long and 175 meters wide. It was positioned at a slight angle with a hole at the bottom. This clever drainage system prevented water from accumulating.
Inside lay a long-haired man. He was wrapped in a cowhide and lay with his head pointing southwest. The man wore a woolen tunic and a small gold spiral ring. A round-topped cap was found next to him. Scattered near the coffin base were remnants of an ornate sword scabbard. Other fragments included a spear shaft an axe shaft and a compressed drinking horn made from a cow horn.
Curiously almost no metal or bronze artifacts were found. Grave robbers likely plundered the mound in ancient times. This suggests a long history of looting long before modern archaeologists arrived. The story of Kong Arrilds Høj is a testament to the passage of time. It shows how even the grandest monuments can eventually fall prey to both the ravages of time and human greed. The name itself speaks volumes. The legend of King Arrild buried here with all his treasures lives on. This impressive mound continues to hold a special place in the hearts and minds of those who know its secrets. A modern metal sculpture of King Arrild stands a short distance away. It serves as a quiet reminder of the mysteries buried beneath the ground.