Rectum, Netherlands

The area around Rectum was settled in prehistory. Pottery has been discovered from the 10th and 11th century.^[5] Rectum was first mentioned in 1297.^[4] It has always been an agricultural community.^[6] During the 21st century, vineyards were established in the hamlet.^[7]

At the 1795 census, Rectum was home to 151 people.^[8] A school was established in the mid-17th century, but closed in the 1980s.^[6][9] A joint school with IJpelo [nl] was established, and nowadays the two hamlets cooperate extensively, and share resources.^[6]

The postal authority does not recognise Rectum as a separate entity and has put it under Wierden.^[10] The hamlet is a statistical entity.^[1]

Rectum is located in a forested area.^[11] In the early 21st century, drinking water wells were dug in the Rectum-IJpelo area, and a water buffer has been constructed. In 2013, it opened and provides drinking water for 150,000 people. The nature area Dakhorst has been laid out around the water buffer.^[12][6]