Midway between Vesterborg and Pederstrup we find Ludvigshave, named after Christian Ditlev Frederik Reventlow's brother Ludvig. The wood hides a small surprise, as a group of over 20 small and medium high mounds lie here. The group of mounds is located in the wood’s northwest corner.
The burial mounds have been excavated several times, but little has been found, mainly burnt bone and a few very rusty iron objects, most of which are from swords and axes.
The reason that several excavations have been carried out is that the barrows are from a period when comparatively few mounds are known. They are believed to date from around the year 800 to 900 AD, the Viking era. Despite the few finds, the mounds are believed to be war graves and possibly burial places for the fallen in battle.
There are 3 other mounds in the wood; these probably date from another time.
The mounds are not particularly interesting, and difficult to get to, but the number of mounds and the date of construction do make the group of mounds special.
See the map to plan your trip.
South of Ludvigshave lies the large Torkildshøj, superbly positioned on top of a hill. It was excavated by Reventlow in 1800. Not much was found, just an urn with burnt bones and some rusty iron from a warrior’s armour.