Funnelbeaker culture

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Skarpsallingkarret DO-9665 original

Archäologisches Landesmuseum Schloss Gottorf 054

Borger neolithisch huis

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0854 Ein Krug aus Bronocice, 3.550 v. Chr.

Wazazbronocic

Funnelbeaker culture (Trichterbecherkultur, abbreviated TBK) from 4300 BC to 2800 BC, was a Neolithic culture in northern Europe, especially present in the region of Denmark, northern Germany, and parts of Poland and the Netherlands. It is named after its characteristic pottery, funnel-shaped beakers that were used for drinking and storage purposes. The Funnelbeaker culture is significant for its contributions to the spread of farming and megalithic structures across northern Europe.

Origins and Development

The origins of the Funnelbeaker culture are linked to the earlier Linear Pottery culture (LBK), with influences from hunter-gatherer groups. As the LBK declined, the Funnelbeaker culture emerged, adapting and expanding its range. This culture was part of the broader Neolithic transition across Europe, where societies moved from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to more settled farming communities.

Economy and Society

The economy of the Funnelbeaker culture was based on a mix of agriculture and animal husbandry, with evidence of wheat, barley cultivation, and the domestication of cattle, pigs, and sheep. Hunting and fishing also played a significant role in their subsistence. The society was likely structured in small, community-based groups, with a significant emphasis on family and kinship.

Material Culture

The most distinctive artifacts of the Funnelbeaker culture are their pottery, particularly the funnel-shaped beakers that give the culture its name. These vessels were often decorated with intricate patterns made by impressing or incising the clay before firing. In addition to pottery, the Funnelbeaker people are known for their megalithic tombs, similar to those found in other Neolithic cultures across Europe. These tombs, often constructed with large stone boulders, served as communal burial sites and are considered to be among the earliest examples of monumental architecture in northern Europe.

Megalithic Structures

The Funnelbeaker culture is renowned for its construction of megalithic structures, including dolmens and passage graves. These structures were typically built using large stone slabs and were used for communal burials. The megaliths are found throughout the Funnelbeaker culture's territory and are a testament to their architectural skills and social organization.

End and Legacy

The Funnelbeaker culture gradually declined around 2800 BC, giving way to the Corded Ware culture, which spread across much of the same area. The transition is marked by significant changes in material culture, burial practices, and pottery styles. However, the Funnelbeaker culture's influence persisted, particularly in the continuation of megalithic tomb construction and the spread of Neolithic farming practices across northern Europe.

See Also

• Neolithic Europe
• Megalith
• Linear Pottery culture
• Corded Ware culture