Podcast: Sounds of King Humble Grave
In Humble, there is a 50-metre-long and 8-metre-wide long barrow dating from 4,000 BC. Many years later, it was given the name King Humble's Tomb, although this is probably an exaggeration.
Listen to Sigurd Bohr from Langeland Museum explain how myth, legend and history merge.
Who was King Humble?
The name comes either from King Humble, who is mentioned in SAXO Grammaticus in the 13th century, or from another King Humble who lived between 300 and 400 years after Christ in the Danish area. The connection with the long barrow in Humble remains somewhat unclear.
This huge and impressive ancient monument has been linked to King Humble, but where in Denmark he was king at that time, or whether he was connected to the town of Humble on Langeland, cannot be proven. However, it cannot be disproved either.
Remains of a giant?
At the bottom of the burial chamber, archaeologists found human bone remains that are believed to have been in the grave for 4,000 years. So the mound WAS a burial chamber, presumably for noblemen. Bone remains were also found that were thought to be from a giant – this was consistent with the idea that giants had built the long barrow. However, it turned out to be bones from a cow.