According to van Giffen’s numbering system, this should be the furthest south of all hunebeds. But it isn’t, and that honour belongs to D47 in Emmen. Nevertheless, this hunebed has the last number. It stands just 150 metres from D53, on the other side of the track. It has six lintels, four of which rest firmly on their uprights. The most easterly lintel is missing, as is the keystone beneath it. All fourteen sidestones are still in place and there is also one portal stone. The fine position against the Havelterberg is also worthy of mention. The new seat close by offers a peaceful place to sit and rest.
Location of D54
Visit of Professor van Giffen to D54 in 1918
Van Giffen found this medium-sized hunebed “in a distressed condition” but it does not really look all that bad. In his time there were still 2 keystones and most of the sidestones were still in position. He was able to determine the original orientation and take measurements: East-south east – west-southwest and 12.7 by 3.3 metres. Six of the original seven lintels had slid down off their uprights. In the meantime the easternmost keystone has disappeared. The monument is in state ownership.
(Source: Atlas of “De Hunebedden in Nederland”, dr.A.E.van Giffen, 1925)
For more information about this and other hunebeds in Drenthe see
www.hunebedden.nl and www.hunebeddeninfo.nl
Text Hans Meijer
Translation Alun Harvey
Photo gallery Davado
