These two hunebeds lie side by side near Schutsweg in Midlaren and are often referred to together as the Hunenborg. Unlike many other hunebeds in Drenthe, they appear somewhat “messy”, many capstones have slipped into the chambers, giving an unpolished, authentic feel that reflects how they may have looked over centuries. The setting is rustic: a narrow path winds past old farm buildings and under ancient oaks, offering an unusual window into two prehistoric monuments. 

 

Archaeological study places the construction of D3 and D4 in the Neolithic era, likely by people of the Funnel Beaker Culture around 3400 BCE. The stones used are glacial erratics, large boulders from the Ice Age, arranged into side-stones and cap-stones to form burial chambers. In D3, there were originally six capstones over eleven side-stones and two end stones; in D4, four capstones remain. These hunebeds have seen minimal restoration: D3 was restored once in 1965 because the stones had settled, and later gas-concrete was added in 1983 to discourage illegal digging. Archaeological finds include pottery fragments consistent with Funnel Beaker burial customs; notably, in 2003, intact ceramic vessels were found under a nearby farm building. Because the capstones have shifted, modern cement markers on the ground show where many of the missing stones once lay, helping visitors visualize the original structure.

 

You can reach Hunebed D3 and D4 via a sandy walking path starting from Schutsweg 42, 9475 PL Midlaren. The trail is mostly flat and natural, passing between two old farms, and runs for only a few hundred meters, making it accessible for most walkers. Since the path is not paved and the terrain is uneven in places, visitors with wheelchairs or pushchairs may find some difficulty. The hunebeds are freely accessible with no gate or admission fee, and no guide is required. Respect for the stones is strongly encouraged, as these structures are fragile and largely unrestored.