201-208

Articles

• González-García, A. César
• Ferrer, Lourdes Costa

The Western Group of the Tnchterbecherkultur (TRB Culture) built the megalithic monumentsin Northwest Germany and The Netherlands. These monuments include different types of megalithsbelonging to the TRB-West group, among which the most common are Passage Graves. We haveobtained data for 163 monuments in this area in three campaigns. The present study completes twoprevious communications at SEAC meetings. We consider that the measured sample is largely competedand therefore we attempt a full analysis of the data. We have measured the orientation of thechamber and passages (where possible) for the Passage Graves, and for the so-called Langebetten.The general orientation of the chamber of the Passage Graves is east west, with another concentrationof monuments at azimuths around 70 degrees. The passage is always located to the southern or easternsides of the chamber. Possible astronomical explanations involving the Sun and the Moon areattempted. We find a preference towards lunar orientations. The general orientation of the Langebettenis similar to the Passage Graves although a preference to significant positions of the Sun and Moonis detected.Finally we perform a comparison with data from the literature of other TRB groups and give a tentativeexplanation for the evolution of the megaliths and their orientation.

• History and Archaeology

• Αρχαιολογία

Neolithic, Burial rituals, Passage Graves, Earthen Long Mounds, Orientation, Monuments