How to build dolmens


[Man]
The biggest feature of dolmens is that they used huge capstones. Dolmens were constructed based on the method of placing capstones on top of supporting stones above the ground. So how did they build dolmens?

[Woman]
The most important thing in building dolmens was to obtain capstones. Capstones were difficult to obtain because they ranged from just a few tons to as heavy as hundreds of tons. It was necessary to trim the naturally separated stones from nearby mountains or to remove capstones directly from rock walls.

남1 [Chieftain]
"How much work have you done so far?”

남2 [Laborer]
“Sir! We are now ready to remove the capstone. We have drilled several holes into the stone and we are now nailing wooden wedges into these holes. We are almost done with that as well.”

남1 [Chieftain]
“Good. Then you'll have to pour water into the wooden wedges to soak them in it. Have you collected the water yet?"

남2 [Laborer]
"Other tribesmen have already gone to get the water. You don’t need to worry too much, sir!”

남1 [Chieftain]
"This dolmen will demonstrate the power of our tribe. So make sure you build it with special care."

남2 [Laborer]
“Sir! I will!”

[Man]
When removing the capstone from the quarry, several holes are artificially drilled into the stone. And then wooden wedges are nailed into the holes. After that, the wooden wedges are soaked in water and the wet wooden wedges thereafter expand, causing the stone to be cut out.

[Woman]
Various methods were used to transport such capstones. It is generally believed that a transportation route was opened to move the obtained capstones. It is assumed that the capstone was moved by paving a log rail underneath it, placing several logs across the rail, and then raising the capstone to make it easier to move. It is also assumed that they used Y-shaped wooden sleds or even ice in cold climate areas.

[Man]
The burial chamber was built next once the capstone was moved. First, the tomb was dug up and plates or broken stones were used to shape the burial chamber. When the burial chamber was built, stone swords or burnished red pottery as well as weapons, accessories and earthenware were sometimes buried together.

[Woman]
Once the burial chamber was complete, supporting stones were erected around it, and a hill was built with soil to make it easier to pull up the capstone.

남2 [Laborer]
"Build a hill out of soil! To raise the capstone!"

남3 [Villager]
"Do we really have to work this much?"

남2 [Laborer]
"Of course, you have to! Raising the capstone is the most difficult task. You have to do your best!”

남3 [Villager]
"Why is it difficult?"

남2 [Laborer]
"It's because the capstone must strike a balance above the supporting stones. Otherwise, they'll just collapse! We can’t let our efforts be in vain! Hey there! Firm the soil!”

[Woman]
Raising the capstone required a high level of civil engineering technology. Once the capstone is raised, they need to dig out the soil from the hill.

[Man]
When the construction of the dolmen was completed, as the final event, people held a rite for the dead or a feast for the mobilized. This is an estimation based on the discovery of broken earthenware or stone tools around the grave. Dolmen construction was part of community ritual that required the mobilization of the same kin group as well as the labor force of the neighboring kin. The dolmen construction required a large number of people, including those who built a burial chamber, those who built a transportation route, and those who pulled up the capstone. Dolmens serve as an important historical source that informs the existence of communities that could mobilize this collective labor force.