Dolmen and burial mound route

There is beautiful green nature within a range of just a few kilometers: De Strubben and the Kniphorstbos are part of the Natura 2000 area and De Drentsche Aa National Park, the only archaeological reserve in the Netherlands. The name of the area refers to the stubby oaks that grow there and to the man who cultivated the heathlands that first formed nature here. In the archaeological reserve you will find various traces from prehistory, such as dolmens and dozens of burial mounds. Historical highlights are the dolmens, which are often found in this area. You will see dolmen D08 and dolmen D09 first between the burial mounds. D08 is a beautiful example and four capstones still rest nicely on eight keystones. One gate stone is still present. Where once a second layer can be seen by the marking of a cement impression. D09 is incomplete and is located along a busy road. The monument looks lost in the built-up area. It was regularly used disrespectfully as a disguised bicycle shed, which is the reason for placing a prohibition sign and a bicycle rack. Dolmen D07 is located between the burial mounds in the De Strubben area. It is a medium-sized dolmen, where all four covering stones are still present. However, one of them is broken and is partly in the burial vault. Dolmen D10 is no longer completely complete. Two of the four covering stones still rest on the seven side and two keystones. The dolmen is fenced because a flock of sheep grazes in the hilly forest and heathland. There is a column near the dolmen where you can find some more information. Dolmen D12 is one of the smaller dolmens that have been found. It is located on an ash tree near Eext. If you want to view the portal tomb, you have to follow a dirt path that turns into grass. D12 was investigated in 1918 by the famous archaeologist Albert van Giffen. Two kilometers further you pass a huge hill, in which the small dolmen D13 is hidden. This gives the stone grave a fairly unique appearance. The entrance to this dolmen is clearly visible. When this dolmen was examined a hundred years ago, the capstone was missing. This was only added later. What makes this dolmen even more special are the finds that were excavated here in the past. For example, pots containing burnt bones have been found. The last dolmen that you can view is very recognizable, because it is very large and still quite complete. The stones are so gigantic that you wonder how people ever managed to put them on top of each other using only stones and wooden tools.