Situated near homes and village facilities, Hunebed D9 has a subtle but notable presence in the built‑up edge of Annen. Although the dolmen is incomplete, several large, weathered boulders remain, some lying flat and others leaning, surrounded partly by trees that create a sense of seclusion. The site integrates naturally with its surroundings and contrasts with larger hunebedden found in open countryside; its location within the village highlights its dual role as both an ancient relic and a peaceful spot for visitors. In Drenthe, over 50 such stone graves exist, with D9 among the easiest to reach directly from a village setting.
Archaeological and Historical Findings
Hunebed D9 was built in the Neolithic period, around 3400–3200 BCE, by people of the Funnel Beaker Culture, the first farming communities in this region. These stone graves were constructed using large glacial boulders arranged to form covered burial chambers. Like other hunebedden, D9 originally consisted of upright side stones supporting heavy capstones, but only the eastern half of the monument survives today, and several stones have been lost. In 1952 the site was excavated and over a hundred pottery fragments from the Funnel Beaker Culture were recovered, showing that at least one substantial burial chamber once existed here. Other hunebed sites in Drenthe have produced pottery fragments, stone tools, and flints, indicating their function as communal burial locations with ritual significance over generations.
Accessibility and Visitor Information
Hunebed D9 stands immediately beside the main road (Zuidlaarderweg) in Anloo’s developed area and can be reached without any notable walking. The flat terrain and roadside visibility make it one of the most accessible hunebedden in Drenthe. There are no steps or uneven paths, ensuring that visitors with limited mobility can easily visit the site. No admission fee is required.
