D53, Neolithic dolmen in Havelte, Netherlands
D53 is a large megalithic burial chamber in Havelte constructed from massive granite blocks transported by glaciers during the Ice Age. The structure consists of stacked stones held together without mortar, creating several internal chambers.
The burial chamber was built between 3350 and 3030 BC by Funnel-beaker farmers and predates both the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. It was part of a wave of megalithic construction that spread across northern Europe.
The stone structure shows how ancient communities organized burial spaces with separate areas for offerings and remains. You can see how people once arranged these chambers to honor their dead.
The site is open year-round with informational panels explaining its archaeological importance. You can reach it by walking or cycling on local paths, though the stones become slippery when wet.
Only about 54 of these prehistoric burial structures survive in the Netherlands and were classified by archaeologist van Giffen in the early 1900s. This scientific documentation helped preserve an important heritage from being forgotten.
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