Hunebeds

The hunebeds in Drenthe, Netherlands, are ancient megalithic tombs dating back to around 3450–3250 BCE. They were constructed by the Funnelbeaker culture, a Neolithic society known for their distinctive pottery. These stone structures are among the oldest man-made structures in the Netherlands and are relics of prehistoric life in Northern Europe.

The name "hunebed" means "giants’ beds" in Dutch, derived from a time when people believed they were built by giants due to the massive size of the stones. The structures are also referred to as dolmens (similar to those found in other parts of Europe), but hunebeds have a unique cultural and regional identity.

Hunebeds were likely used as communal burial sites. They consist of large boulders, some weighing several tons, arranged in a chamber-like structure with a stone passageway. Smaller stones or sand might have covered them originally, forming mounds. The exact rituals or beliefs of the Funnelbeaker people are not well documented, but the placement and construction of these tombs suggest they held significant spiritual or communal importance.

Today, 54 hunebeds in the Netherlands remain, with 52 located in the province of Drenthe, and two in Groningen. Each hunebed has been numbered for identification, using a system developed by archaeologist A.E. van Giffen in the early 20th century. The numbers are prefixed by the letter "D" standing for Drenthe and "G" for Groningen.