Borger (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbɔrɣər]) is a village in the Dutch province of Drenthe. It is a part of the municipality of Borger-Odoorn, and lies about 18 km east of Assen.
The village was first mentioned in 1327 as "Johannes in Borghere". The etymology is unclear.[3] Borger is an esdorp which developed in the Early Middle Ages on the Hondsrug along the road from Groningen to Coevorden. In the early 13th century a daughter church was established from Anloo. Borger became the main settlement, and three satellites were established around the village: Buinen, Drouwen and Westdorp.[4]
The tower of the Dutch Reformed church dates from the 14th century and has been restored in 1840. The medieval church was replaced in 1826.[4] There is an original sheep pen from the 18th century in Borger.[4]
Borger was home to 519 people in 1840.[5] In 1958, the open air theatre opened in Borger and can seat 600 people.[6]
The hunebed dolmen D27 is the biggest hunebed of the Netherlands. It measures 22.5 metres (74 ft) and has 9 capstones, 26 side stones and 2 keystones. The hunebed contains a complete gate. In 1865, amateur excavation was performed by Titia Brongersma who discovered pottery and many bones, however none of the artefacts remain.[7]
In 1984, a local youth found some pottery and bones. The artefacts were analysed and surprisingly dated from the Bronze Age which was much later than expected. There were calls for a scientific investigation of the site, however the archaeologists in charge of the area have blocked an investigation. In 2005, a museum opened near the site.[7]