Dolmens D17 and D18

The twin dolmens D17 and D18 are perhaps the two most famous dolmens in the country. Two fairly large dolmens located close to each other. They lie just behind the beautiful medieval Rolder Church.

D17 is the most northern. D18 is located 200 meters to the south, and it immediately stands out that it is in much better condition. D17 gives a somewhat messy impression. It has 8 capstones, of which only one rests on the supporting stones. The others have either completely or partially slipped off the supporting stones or lie fragmented in the grave. One is completely broken in half. The capstone in the middle is noteworthy due to its enormous size. Additionally, there are 15 side stones, 2 end stones, and 2 portal side stones. The oak tree at D17 is still there, but it is in poor condition. It was once struck by lightning. This created a cavity that has been smeared with tar. There are also iron pins in it to help maintain the tree's shape.

The entrance to the site is marked by a row of 19 large erratic boulders. Perhaps these were once the wreath stones, which are present at other sites.

The survival of both dolmens was greatly endangered in 1847 when the monuments were put up for sale by the Rolder municipal authority, with a real possibility that they would be demolished. This led to large protests at first at the provincial level and then at the national level, which ultimately resulted in 1872, after much legal struggle, in the purchase of both dolmens by the State for the sum of f. 150,-. This affair later proved to be of great significance: it marked the public and administrative turning point in favor of the preservation of our prehistoric heritage.

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