The Hunebed Centre in Borger takes you back to the time of prehistoric Drenthe. A journey through time of no less than 150,000 years. At five different locations, you will first discover how the Drenthe landscape was shaped during the ice ages. Subsequently, people settled in Drenthe who used this landscape for various purposes, such as burial monuments, the remains of which can be seen at this centre.
Your journey of discovery begins at the central museum. Here you will take a trip back in time to over 5000 years ago, to the hunebed builders. This was the era when people began to cultivate the land. Farmers built the impressive hunebeds, and the museum will transport you into their world. This world consisted of small fields with equally small houses and wildlands where both bears and wolves lived. How did the hunebed builders stand their ground and survive all these dangers?
The path to prehistory leads you, among other things, to the impressive stone burial monuments, the largest of which is located right next to the centre. When you stand before this hunebed, you'll truly grasp how impressively large this monument is. The largest stone of this monument alone weighs a staggering 20 tonnes. The question that inevitably arises for visitors is how the first farmers were able to build this imposing burial monument? The centre believes it knows, but whether this is actually how it happened remains the big question in Drenthe. In any case, the largest one stands right next to the Hunebedcentrum in Borger, giving you the opportunity to answer this question yourself.
In the knowledge centre of the Hunebedcentre in Borger, you'll find the gateway to the Hondsrug UNESCO Global Geopark. Here you will first be explained what a Geopark is, and why this centre in Borger on the Drenthe Hondsrug has obtained UNESCO status. This area belongs to a unique region where its geological history is linked to the time when the first humans lived here and still live here today. The first people who lived here built the impressive dolmens, which were formed by the ice ages. In addition, the exhibition in the knowledge centre tells of all sorts of different peoples who subsequently lived in this area. Think of stories and films, but also remains of mammoths and an overview of all the hotspots in the area that you definitely should not and do not want to miss.
Mien Ruys was nicknamed ‘Bielzen Mien’ (Sleeper Mien) due to her use of railway sleepers in her garden designs. This trend was very popular throughout the Netherlands in the 1970s. She therefore enjoyed working with straight shapes such as rectangles and squares.
The Hunebed Centre in Borger, on the Drenthe Hondsrug, impressively brings prehistory to life. In the Primeval Park, you literally walk through history. You simply can't get any closer to the lives of our ancestors. You will walk, among other things, across the fields of the first inhabitants. These farmers built their existence here, the remnants of which are still clearly visible today. In addition, there is an authentic Neanderthal camp, a reindeer hunter's hut, peat roads, burial mounds, and, of course, an excavated hunebed. As if that were not enough, primeval humans are regularly present. They tell stories and show you in detail how people lived back then. For instance, they demonstrate fire-making, wood carving, and wool dyeing.
In short, Mien Ruys' Gardens offer a fantastic experience for everyone.
The Hunebedcentrum in Borger also offers you the opportunity to discover the unique landscape of the Hondsrug area on foot or by bike. For example, various walking routes have been marked out, ranging from short strolls to long hikes. The same applies to the various cycling routes that the centre has mapped out for you. You will find all the details about these routes on the centre's website.
For example, opt for the Elfhunebedden Nature Trail, which is approximately 14 kilometres long. This will take you on a huge step back in time, and you'll discover no fewer than eleven different hunebeds during your walk. Or how about the Sterrentocht (Star Route)? This walking route is approximately 13 kilometres long and takes around 2.6 hours. During this trek, you'll visit the site of the world's largest radio telescope. In terms of cycling routes, the Hunebedtocht (Hunebed Trail) is highly recommended. During this ride, you'll also discover various hunebeds and, in addition, encounter the Drenthe giants Ellert and Brammert.
There's plenty for children to do at the Hunebed Centre in Borger too. For example, youngsters can discover everything about the ice ages and Drenthe's prehistory at the "Oerschool" (Prehistoric School). For secondary school pupils, there's even teaching material available concerning geology and archaeology. In addition, there is an "Oeracademie" (Prehistoric Academy) for anyone who wishes to discover more about prehistoric times. Courses, lectures, and workshops are offered. A lot of knowledge is also shared, for instance, about how to survive in prehistoric times yourself. Want to know more about the activities in the Emmen area?
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