In the Dutch province of Drenthe, steps away from the Netherlands' largest prehistoric monument, a museum brings Stone Age life into vivid focus.

The Hunebedcentrum sits in the village of Borger, positioned deliberately close to the country's most impressive hunebed, those mysterious megalithic tombs built by Neolithic farmers over 5,000 years ago.

Here, archaeology meets storytelling as the museum unravels the lives of the people who moved massive boulders across the landscape to honor their dead. Through reconstructions, artifacts, and outdoor experiences, visitors step into a world where communities worked together to create monuments that still stand today.

From Small Beginnings to Modern Vision

The museum's journey began in 1959 when the foundation 'Borger, Prehistoric Heart of the Netherlands' was established. Starting modestly in 1982 in a former poorhouse, it grew into the National Hunebed Information Center.

In 2005, a completely new building opened, designed by renowned architect Aldo van Eyck, known for his work on Amsterdam's Burgerweeshuis orphanage. Though van Eyck passed away in 1999, his widow Hannie van Eyck and architect Hans van Heeswijk realized his original vision. The museum underwent another renovation in 2015, with its latest exhibition launching in 2019.

The Hunebed Builders Come to Life

The centerpiece of the collection is a detailed reconstruction of Hunebed D27 from Borger-Buinen, complete with its entire inventory excavated by archaeologist Jan Albert Bakker in 1970. This includes over 150 pottery vessels, offering an unprecedented glimpse into burial practices.

Visitors encounter the story through dioramas showing Neolithic family life and the film 'Crime Scene Stone Age' in the Pingo auditorium, which cleverly links archaeology to detective work. Both seek clues, both reconstruct the past. A smaller grave type, the steenkist from Drouwenerveld, adds depth to understanding burial traditions across the region.

Walking Among Stone Age Settlements

What sets the Hunebedcentrum apart is its Prehistoric Park, where history becomes tangible. A full-scale Stone Age house reconstruction lets visitors imagine domestic life 5,000 years ago, while the boulder garden showcases the massive erratic rocks that Ice Age glaciers deposited across Drenthe.

The museum also serves as the gateway to the Hondsrug UNESCO Geopark, telling 150,000 years of landscape history. For younger visitors, the museum created Oek, a character who lived among hunebed builders, bringing prehistory to child-level through stories and illustrations that make ancient times feel immediate and real.

Hunebedcentrum Highlights & Tips

• The D27 Reconstruction See a complete reconstruction of Hunebed D27 with its original inventory of over 150 pottery vessels, the most comprehensive hunebed display in the Netherlands.
• Prehistoric Park Walk through the outdoor park featuring a reconstructed Stone Age house and boulder garden, offering hands-on understanding of Neolithic life.
• The Largest Hunebed The actual D27 hunebed, the largest in the Netherlands, sits just steps from the museum entrance, allowing you to compare the real monument with the museum's reconstruction.
• Start with the Film Begin your visit with 'Crime Scene Stone Age' in the Pingo auditorium to understand how archaeologists piece together prehistoric stories.
• Combine with Geopark Exploration Use the museum as your starting point for exploring the Hondsrug UNESCO Geopark, which stretches across the region with multiple hunebed sites.
• Family-Friendly Features Children can follow the stories of Oek, a young hunebed builder, making the prehistoric period accessible and engaging for younger visitors.
• Museum Amenities Take time to visit the museum shop for unique archaeological souvenirs and the museum cafe, furnished with designer pieces, for refreshments.

The Hunebedcentrum does something rare in museum experiences. It bridges five millennia not through glass cases alone, but by placing you in the landscape where these stone monuments still stand.\n\nThe combination of indoor exhibitions, outdoor reconstructions, and proximity to actual prehistoric sites creates a complete journey into Neolithic life. Whether you are captivated by archaeology, landscape history, or simply the human drive to create lasting monuments, Borger offers a window into the lives of people who shaped this land long before history was written.