D18, Neolithic burial chamber in Rolde, Netherlands
D18 is a Neolithic stone burial chamber built from upright boulders topped with flat capstones arranged in a rectangular formation. The construction spans several meters in length and displays the typical building method used by megalithic cultures of that era.
The structure was built between 3350 and 3030 BCE by early farming communities who transported the enormous stones across considerable distances. These people left behind many such monuments across the region, each one revealing aspects of their society and beliefs.
The structure served as a shared burial place for the farming community, reflecting their beliefs about the afterlife through the care they took in constructing it. The act of moving massive stones together suggests these ceremonies brought people together and strengthened their bonds.
The site is reachable on foot from Rolde with informational signs explaining its construction and significance. Wear sturdy footwear as the surrounding pathways can vary in condition depending on weather and recent maintenance.
British researchers documented and studied the monument in the 1800s, leaving traces of their early archaeological work visible on the stones today. These records provide a window into how people understood and approached ancient sites in earlier times.
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