Our Winter Tour To The Dutch Megalithic Tombs

Welcome to another exciting episode of Aurelio on Tour, where we embark on a journey to explore the mysteries of the past. Today, we find ourselves in the northeastern part of the Netherlands, in the province of Drenthe, to uncover the enigmatic Dutch Universe. Hold onto your seats as we dive deep into this fascinating adventure!

When we talk about the Dutch Universe, there's one name that comes to the forefront - Professor Albert Vergeven, affectionately known as the father of the universe. He did something incredible; he numbered all the universes from 1 to 52. Our journey begins with Universe D1, where 'D' stands for Delanza.

People of old once believed that Universes were built by giants, and the local word for giants is "Junioren." It's no surprise that this land is brimming with legends and mysteries.

The Unibet Center: Where History Comes Alive

As we venture into Borger, we stumble upon the Unibet Center. But what's more intriguing are the mammoths made of reeds. Yes, it's quite chilly here, but when you step inside the Unibet Center, you're transported into the rich history of the northeastern Netherlands.

The Prehistoric Park on the grounds of the Unibet Center is a time machine itself. It boasts a reconstruction of a stone-age house, and Boulder Garden is adorned with stones that traveled here all the way from Scandinavia, courtesy of glacier ice, about 150,000 years ago. These stones, remnants of an ancient past, lie hidden beneath the soil of the Ram Truck chain of hills in Drenthe, where most of the Dutch Universe reside.

Imagine all kinds of stones from Finland, Sweden, and the space between them, all converging in one place. It's a geological masterpiece that challenges our understanding of ancient transportation methods.

The Magic of Experimental Archeology

The Prehistoric Park isn't just a collection of old stones; it's a living history lesson. Everything here is a result of experimental archaeology, meaning they used materials and tools that were available during the time of the original objects' creation. It's a hands-on journey through time.

The Unibet Center's crown jewel is the largest Unibet, D27. This remarkable piece of history may be small, but I dared to crawl underneath it. Many Honey Bits are connected by dirt roads, a unique feature in the Netherlands, showcasing the exceptional archaeological significance of the region.

While most of the Dutch Universe lies in the province of Drenthe, there's one unique outlier in Groningen. G5, the last Universe discovered in the Netherlands, was unearthed near Death Sale in 1983, and it now stands proudly in a museum in that town.

A Glimpse into the Past

Universe G1, partially excavated in 1957, unveiled the remains of at least 150 pots. But the real revelation was the pit in front of the Universe's entrance, where traces of what might have been the burial of two children were found. These flat graves, with one or two individuals interred, offer a glimpse into ancient burial practices, though they're far rarer to come by than Hunabeds.

Interestingly, some sites in Drenthe feature two Hunabeds lying side by side. It's a phenomenon we've uncovered during our journey, and D21 and D22 are such a pair. D22 stands as the smallest tomb in the Netherlands, while D21 boasts an intricately symmetrical design and a trove of extraordinary pots, shrouded in mystery.

Laugh, for laughter is a timeless companion of explorers. Amidst the Hunabeds, you may stumble upon burial mounds, a haunting reminder of the lives lived in these ancient lands.

The Unibets: A Riddle Wrapped in Stone

The purpose of the Unibets remains a riddle, a puzzle yet to be fully unraveled. However, it's widely believed that these colossal stone structures served as tombstones. In a bid to showcase the marvels of Drenthe, they've even christened the N34 as the "Unibet Highway." Follow this highway, and you'll cross paths with 47 of the 52 Unibets in Drenthe, creating a journey through time and history.

As you journey through the province, you'll find yourself amidst picturesque villages, where lovingly restored houses offer a glimpse into the past. Here, you see Hunabets, monumental burial monuments constructed from large boulders between 3400 and 3100 BC. These were the handiwork of an early farming culture that stretched across northeastern Netherlands, northern Germany, Denmark, southern Sweden, and large parts of Poland.

The Vanishing Mysteries

Today, only 54 of these ancient tombs stand as the oldest monuments in the Netherlands. It's a rare sight to behold, thanks to the ravages of time. But we've also come across Hunabets that were rediscovered and lovingly restored, giving us a vivid peek into a world long gone.

In the days of yore, people believed giants were the architects of these magnificent structures. Yet, we now know that even with simple tools and a small number of hands, these large stones could be transported and assembled. It's a testament to the ingenuity of our ancestors.

The Grand Finale: Universe 52

Our journey takes us to Universe 52, the grand finale. Nestled in the neighborhood of Differ, this tomb, constructed from large stones, was once nothing more than a heap of unrecognizable rocks. In 1980, a stroke of luck from the heavens revealed 12 pots, some miraculously intact, along with Flint axes, arrowheads, and bone fragments. Notably, the individuals buried here were treated differently than those in the Hunabets.

The mysteries surrounding the Dutch Universe persist, but the allure of history and adventure keeps us going. We hope you've enjoyed this exhilarating episode of Aurelio on Tour. Thanks for joining us on this journey through time, and we look forward to having you with us in our next thrilling adventure!