Images (9)
Fieldnotes (1)

Images

Image of Zeven Bergjes (Barrow / Cairn Cemetery) by LesHamilton

This is an image of Grave Mounds 1 and 2 as viewed from the summit of Mound No 7.

Image credit: Les Hamilton

LesHamilton Jul 10, 2016

Grave Mound No 1 is probably the largest in this reserve, rising to at least 3 metres above the surrounding terrain. It lies immediately beside the path and presents an attractive green profile, free from the heather that partly masks some of the other barrows.

Image credit: Les Hamilton

LesHamilton Jul 10, 2016

Grave Mound No 2 is one of the largest in this reserve, a symmetric green dome with a faint path crossing it.

Image credit: Les Hamilton

LesHamilton Jul 10, 2016

Grave Mound No 3 is one of the smaller ones, rising from the heath as a compact inverted dome with a grassy summit.

Image credit: Les Hamilton

LesHamilton Jul 10, 2016

Grave Mound No 4 barely reaches 2 metres in height, rising from the heath as a vegetated barrow with a grassy summit.

Image credit: Les Hamilton

LesHamilton Jul 10, 2016

Grave Mound No 5 is a symmetrical grassy dome, about 2 metres in height, suffering somewhat from erosion.

Image credit: Les Hamilton

LesHamilton Jul 10, 2016

Grave Mound No 7 is one of the largest, some 3 metres high, and will almost certainly be the first one encountered as you enter the reserve. It stands immediately adjacent to the path that leads to Mounds No 1 and 2. The mound is largely heather-covered, with just a hint of its grassy summit peeking out.

Image credit: Les Hamilton

LesHamilton Jul 10, 2016

Grave Mound No 6 is one of the less significant of the seven, largely clothed in heather, but with its grassy summit just visible.

Image credit: Les Hamilton

LesHamilton Jul 10, 2016

Map showing the locations of the Seven Grave Mounds (Zeven Bergjes) in the Zuiderheide to the northeast of Hilversum.

Image credit: Les Hamilton

LesHamilton Jul 10, 2016

Articles

Zeven Bergjes

Barrow / Cairn Cemetery

LesHamilton Jul 10, 2016

Visited: July 1, 2016

De Zeven Bergjes (The Seven Little Hills) is a group of seven round barrows located in the Zuiderheide, a section of het Gooi Nature Reserve located to the northeast of Hilversum. They form a compact grouping, occupying an area measuring approximately 300 × 400 metres.

Three of the barrows (Nos 1, 2 and 7) are sizeable, and probably all in excess of three metres tall; the other four are significantly smaller. None, however, has any striking individuality, and one image only of each is included here.

Nevertheless, this area is easily accessible by a 15 minute walk from the Poolsterstraat bus halt (No 108 bus from Hilversum station), and provides pleasant walking on excellent paths. In a leisurely stroll, I visited all the barrows in three-quarters of an hour.

The grave mounds are about 4,000 years old and date from the Neolithic and the Bronze Age. In and around them have been found urns, a dagger, an axe and a beaker.

The numbering of the mounds follows the maps of the area prepared by Museum ‘Oer’, located in Ulft, Netherlands.