The Vester Aaby site in the Faaborg-Midtfyn municipality features a significant ancient round barrow, locally known as Storehøjen, which has been protected since before 1937. This monumental structure dates from stone age/bronze age.
It is described as a very large, monumental mound, possibly megalithic. Its dimensions have been recorded variously as 4-4.5 x 28-29 meters, 93 feet in diameter and 11 feet high, and more recently as 4.7 meters high with diameters of 28.7 x 26.5 meters.
Storehøjen has undergone extensive transformation, having been repurposed as a viewing mound within a pleasure garden. Historical surveys document these changes:
An 1885 survey noted a path, a stone-set cut-out on the south side, and a stone fence around the middle of the mound, enclosing planted areas and pathways.
By 1947, a path and a large stone-set cut-out with stone walls on the south side were reiterated, along with a modern stone fence (1.25-1.75 meters above the base and up to 0.80 meters high) encircling most of the mound.
A 1983 survey observed a completely encircling, stone-set terrace at approximately 2 meters height, which functioned as a viewing area. This terracing, particularly in the north, is now significantly damaged due to traffic, play, or vandalism, with stones toppled onto the surrounding lawn. Another terracing was likely present closer to the top, possibly an observation platform that once held benches, now long gone. The mound is covered with grass and deciduous trees, including a ring of large, old elm trees on the lower terrace. A bench is also situated right next to the mound.
At the base of Storehøjen, numerous large stones (over 0.6 meters in size) are visible all around. These are believed to be randsten (curb stones) from a large Stone Age grave, potentially a runddysse (round mound). Randsten are rows of stones that typically enclose a burial chamber, and in the case of a runddysse, they are arranged in a circular formation. Stone Age people were skilled builders, using flint axes and wooden levers to construct these solid megalithic graves, many of which are still visible over 5000 years later. These graves often included at least one stone burial chamber, frequently covered by a large capstone, with later designs incorporating passages to access the grave without moving the capstone. However, the exact origin of the stones and the nature of the grave remain unconfirmed as the mound has never been excavated. The site has been subject to various surveys and supervisions by institutions such as the Nationalmuseet and Museum Odense, with records dating back to 1885.
http://www.kulturarv.dk/fundogfortidsminder/Lokalitet/8647/