Expansion of Urnfield cremation burial traditions across Danube basin and Alpine Europe

The Urnfield Culture

The Urnfield culture, named after the practice of cremating the dead and placing their ashes in urns, was a significant Late Bronze Age culture in Central Europe. Around 1500 BCE, this culture began to spread across the Danube basin and Alpine Europe.

Cremation Burial Traditions

The Urnfield culture is most notable for its burial customs. The dead were cremated, and their ashes were placed in urns which were then buried in fields. This was a departure from the previous burial practices, which typically involved inhumation.

Expansion Across Europe

The expansion of the Urnfield culture across the Danube basin and Alpine Europe is believed to have been facilitated by the development of new technologies and trade routes. This expansion marked a significant shift in the cultural landscape of Europe.

Expansion of the Urnfield Culture
Area Approximate Date of Urnfield Culture Arrival
Danube Basin 1500 BCE
Alpine Europe 1500 BCE

Sources

  • The Oxford Handbook of the European Bronze Age
  • The Urnfield Culture in Central Europe: An Archaeological Study

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