Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Western European Late Bronze Age

Urnfield

  • Chapter
Book cover Encyclopedia of Prehistory

  • 351 Accesses

Abstract

The Late Bronze Age occurred during the Sub-Boreal climatic period, which lasted until about 2800 b.p. At the beginning of the tradition, conditions were somewhat wetter, but drier conditions ensued around 3100 b.p. At the end of the tradition, the Sub-Atlantic period marked a relatively rapid climatic degeneration with an increase in rainfall, humidity, and flooding of lowlands throughout much of Europe. The western part of the tradition was characterized by a cool and moist maritime climate, the southern part by a warm and dry Mediterranean climate, and the eastern part by a highly variable continental climate.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Suggersted Readings

  • Audouze, F., and O. Büchsenschütz (1992). Towns, Villages, and Countryside of Celtic Europe. Transl. H. Cleere. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biel, J. (1987). Vorgeschichtliche Höhensiedlungen in Sudwurttemberg-Hohenzollern. Stuttgart: Konrad Theiss Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradley, R. (1990). The Passage of Arms: An Archaeological Analysis of Prehistoric Hoards and Votive Deposits. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Briard, J. (1979). The Bronze Age in Barbarian Europe. Transl. M. Turton. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coles, J. M., and A. F. Harding (1982). The Bronze Age in Europe. London: Methuen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernández Castro, M. C. (1995). Iberia in Prehistory. Oxford: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harding, A. F., (1994). “Reformation in Barabarian Europe, 1300—600 bc.” In The Oxford Illustrated Prehistory of Europe, ed. B. Cunliffe. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 304-335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jäger, K.-D., and V. Lozek (1982). “Environmental Conditions and Land Cultivation during the Urnfield Bronze Age in Central Europe.” In Climatic Change in Later Prehistory, ed. A. F. Harding. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University, 162-178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kristiansen, K. (1998). Europe before History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, M. L. (1992). “The Archaeology of Mystification: Ideology, Dominance, and the Urnfields of Southern Germany.” In Ancient Images, Ancient Thought: The Archaeology of Ideology, ed. A. S. Goldsmith, S. Garvie, D. Selin, and J. Smith. Calgary: University of Calgary, 97-104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rind, M. M. (1987). Die urnenfelderzeitliche Siedlung von Dietfurt/Oberpfalz. Oxford: BAR International Series 377.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rowlands, M. J. (1980). “Kinship, Alliance and Exchange in the European Bronze Age.” In Settlement and Society in the British Later Bronze Age, ed. J. Barrett and R. Bradley. Oxford: BAR British Series 83, 15-55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sorensen, M. L. S. and R. Thomas, eds. (1989) The Bronze Age-Iron Age Transition in Europe: Aspeces of Continuity and Change in European Societies c. 1200 to 500 B.C., 2 vols, Oxford: BAR International Series 483.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stein, F. (1976). Bronzezeitliche Hortfunde in Süddeutschland. Bonn: Rudolf Habelt Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulrix-Closset, M., and M. Otte, eds. (1989). La civilisation de Hallstatt; Ėtudes et Récherches. Liège: Archéologiques de l’Université de Liège.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, P. S. (1984). Farms, Villages, and Cities: Commerce and Urban Origins in Late Prehistoric Europe. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

References

  • Briard, J. (1973). “Bronze Age Cultures: 1800-600 bc.” In France before the Romans, ed. S. Piggot, G. Daniel, and C. McBurney, 131-156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Briard, J. (1979). The Bronze Age in Barbarian Europe. Transl. M. Turton. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coles, J. M., and A. F. Harding (1982). The Bronze Age in Europe. London: Methuen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunliffe, B., and S. Keay (1995). Social Complexity and the Development of Towns in Iberia from the Copper Age to the Second Century ad. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernández Castro, M. C. (1995). Iberia in Prehistory. Oxford: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harding, A. F. (1994). “Reformation in Barbarian Europe, 1300-600 bc.” In The Oxford Illustrated Prehistory of Europe, ed. B. Cunliffe. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 304-335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, R. J. (1988). Spain at the Dawn of History. New York: Thames and Hudson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pautreau, J. -P. (1989). “The Transition from Bronze Age to Iron Age in France: Economic, Cultural and Spiritual Change.” In The Bronze Age-Iron Age Transition in Europe: Aspects of Continuity and Change in European Societies c. 1200 to 500 B.C., ed. M. L. S. Sorensen and R. Thomas. Oxford: BAR International Series 483, 204-262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearson, M. P. (1993). Bronze Age Britain. London: Batsford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rowlands, M. J. (1980). “Kinship, Alliance and Exchange in the European Bronze Age.” In Settlement and Society in the British Later Bronze Age, ed. J. Barrett and R. Bradley. Oxford: BAR British Series 83, 15-55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz, A., and M. Molinos (1998). The Archaeology of the Iberians. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

References

  • Barker, G. (1985). Prehistoric Farming in Europe. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biel, J. (1987). Vorgeschichtliche Höhensiedlungen in Sudwurttemberg-Hohenzollern. Stuttgart: Konrad Theiss Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradley, R. (1990). The Passage of Arms: An Archaeological Analysis of Prehistoric Hoards and Votive Deposits. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Briard, J. (1979). The Bronze Age in Barbarian Europe. Transl. M. Turton. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coles, J. M., and A. F. Harding (1982). The Bronze Age in Europe London: Methuen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harding, A. F. (1994). “Reformation in Barbarian Europe, 1300-600 bc.” In The Oxford Illustrated Prehistory of Europe, ed. B. Cunliffe. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 304-335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jäger, K.-D., and V. Lozek (1982). “Environmental Conditions and Land Cultivation during the Urnfield Bronze Age in Central Europe.” In Climatic Change in Later Prehistory, ed. A. F. Harding. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. 162-178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Janssen, W. (1993). “Der Bullenheimer Berg.” In Das keltische Jahrtausend, ed. H. Dannheimer. Mainz: Philip von Zabern, 75-82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jockenhövel, A. (1975). “Zu befestigten Siedlungen der Urnenfelderzeit aus Süddeutschland.” Fundberichte aus Hessen 14: 19-62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kossack, G. (1954). Studien zum Symbolgut der Urnenfelder- und Hallstattzeit in Mitteleuropa. Mainz: Römisch-Germanische Zentralkommission.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kristiansen, K. (1998). Europe before History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Küster, H. (1995). Geschichte der Landschaft in Mitteleuropa: Von der Eiszeit bis zur Gegenwart.Munch: C.H. Beck.

    Google Scholar 

  • Munich: C. H. Beck. Lambot, B. (1989). “Les Sanctuaires du Bronze final et premier âge du Fer en France septentrionale.” In La Civilisation de Hallstatt, ed. M. Otte and M. Ulrix-Closset. Liège: Université de Liège, 201-273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller, F. (1993). In Das keltische Jahrtausend, ed. H. Dannheimer. Mainz: Philip von Zabern, 177-188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller-Karpe, H. (1952). Das Urnenfeld von Kelheim. Kallmunz/Opf: Michael Lassleben.

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller-Karpe, H. (1956). “Das urnenfelderzeitliche Wagengrab von Hart a. d. Alz, Oberbayern.” Bayerische Vorgeschichtsblätter 21:46-75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, M. L. (1992). “The Archaeology of Mystification: Ideology, Dominance, and the Urnfields of Southern Germany.” In Ancient Images, Ancient Thought: The Archaeology of Ideology, ed. A. S. Goldsmith, S. Garvie, D. Selin, and J. Smith. Calgary: University of Calgary, 97-104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, M. L. (1995). “Archaeological Landscapes and Social Development: Late Bronze and Iron Age Settlement around Kelheim an der Donau, Germany.” Ph.D. diss. Harvard University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pauli, L. (1980). The Alps: Archaeology and Early History. London: Thames and Hudson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pautreau, J.-P. (1985). “Le Site protohistorique de la Croix-Verte à Antran (Vienne): Premiers résultats.” Aquitania 3: 3-26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinerth, H. (1928). Die Wasserburg Buchau: Eine befestigte Inselsiedlung aus der Zeit 1100-800 v. Chr. Augsburg: Filser Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rind, M. M. (1987). Die urnenfelderzeitliche Siedlung von Dietfurt/Oberpfalz. Oxford: BAR International Series 377.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rowlands, M. J. (1980). “Kinship, Alliance and Exchange in the European Bronze Age.” In Settlement and Society in the British Later Bronze Age, ed. J. Barrett and R. Bradley. Oxford: BAR British Series 83, 15-55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schauer, P. (1993). “Befestigte Höhen der Urnenfelderzeit und der älteren Eisenzeit in Süddeutschland.” In Das keltische Jahrtausend, ed. H. Dannheimer. Mainz: Philip von Zabern, 62-74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schutz, C. (1987). „Neue Ausgrabungen im urnenfelderzeitlichen Gräberfeld von Zuchering.“ Das archäologische Jahr in Bayern 1986: 63-64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stein, F. (1976). Bronzezeitliche Hortfunde in Süddeutschland. Bonn: Rudolf Habelt Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Torbrügge, W. (1985). „Über Hortfunde und Hortdeutungen.“ Arch- äologisches Korrespondenzblatt 15,1: 17-23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uenze. H. P. (1993). “Symbolgut.” In Das keltische Jahrtausend, ed. H. Dannheimer. Mainz: Philip von Zabern, 189-192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weissmüller, W. (1986). Postmesolithische Funde aus Höhlen und Abris am Beispiel des südlichen Riesrandgebiet. Oxford: BAR.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, P. S. (1983). Rural Economy in the Early Iron Age: Excavations at Hascherkeller 1978-1981. Cambridge, MA: Peabody Museum, Harvard University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, P. S. (1984). Farms, Villages, and Cities: Commerce and Urban Origins in Late Prehistoric Europe. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

References

  • Biel, J. (1987). Vorgeschichtliche Höhensiedlungen in Sudwurttemberg-Hohenzollern. Stuttgart: Konrad Theiss Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Briard, J. (1979). The Bronze Age in Barbarian Europe. Trans. M. Turton. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coles, J. M., and A. F. Harding (1982). The Bronze Age in Europe. London: Methuen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harding, A. (1984). “Aspects of Social Evolution in the Bronze Age.” In European Social Evolution: Archaeological Perspectives, ed. J. Bintliff. 135-145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kraft, G. (1926). Die Kultur der Bronzezeit in Suddeutschland auf Grund der Funde in Württemberg untersucht. Augsburg: Filser.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kreutle, R. (1988). “Spätbronzezeit und Urnenfelderzeit in Wurttemberg.” In Archäologie in Württemberg, ed. D. Planck. Stuttgart: Konrad Theiss Verlag, 171-197.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kristiansen, K. (1998). Europe before History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller-Karpe, H. (1956). „Das urnenfelderzeitliche Wagengrab von Hart a. d. Alz, Oberbayern.“ Bayerische Vorgeschichtsblätter 21:46-75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinecke, P. (1965). Mainzer Aufsätze zur Chronologie der Bronze- und Eisenzeit. Nachdrucke aus Altertümer unserer heidnischen Vorzeit 5 (1911) und Festschrift des Römisch-Germanischen Zentralmuseums (1902). Bonn: Rudolf Habelt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rowlands, M. (1984). “Conceptualizing the European Bronze and Early Iron Ages.” In European Social Evolution: Archaeological Perspectives, ed. J. Bintliff. 147-156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schiek, S. (1962). „Ein Grab der frühen Urnenfelderkultur von Mengen, Kr. Saulgau.“ Germania 40: 130-145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Torbrügge, W. (1960). „Die Bronzezeit in Bayern.“ Bericht der Römisch-Germanischen Kommission 1959 40: 1-78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uenze, H. P. (1982). „Bronze- und Urnenfelderzeit.“ In Archäologie in Bayern, ed. H. Dannheimer. W. Pfaffenhofen: Ludwig Verlag, 61-90.

    Google Scholar 

References

  • Audouze, F., and O. Büchsenschütz (1992). Towns, Villages, and Countryside of Celtic Europe. Trans. H. Cleere. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambot, B. (1989). “Les Sanctuaires du Bronze final et premier âge du Fer en France sepientrionale.” In La Civilisation de Hallstatt, ed. M. Otte and M. Ulrix-Closset. Liège: Université de Liège, 201-273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pautreau, J.-P. (1985). “Le-site protohislorique de la Croix-Verte à Anlran (Vienne): Premiers résultats.” Aquitania 3: 3-26.

    Google Scholar 

References

  • Coles, J. M., and A. F. Harding (1982). The Bronze Age in Europe. London: Methuen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jäger, K.-D., and V. Lozek (1982). “Environmental Conditions and Land Cultivation during the Urnfield Bronze Age in Central Europe.” In Climatic Change in Later Prehistory, ed. A. F. Harding. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University, 162-178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kristiansen, K. (1998). Europe before History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Küster, H. (1995). Geschichte der Landschaft in Mitteleuropa: Von der Eiszeit bis zur Gegenwart. Munich: C. H. Beck.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinerth, H. (1928). Die Wasserburg Buchau: Eine befestigte Inselsiedlung aus der Zeit 1100-800 v. Chr. Augsburg: Filser Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, P. S. (1984). Farms, Villages, and Cities: Commerce and Urban Origins in Late Prehistoric Europe. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

References

  • Berger, A., and H.-U. Glaser (1990). “Ein Hausgrundriß und ein weiterer Hortfund der Urnenfelderzeit von der befestigten Höhensiedlung Bullenheimer Berg.” Das Archäologische Jahr in Bayern 1989: 79-81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biel, J. (1987). Vorgeschichtliche. Höhensiedlungen in Südwürttemberg-Hohenzollern. Stuttgart: Konrad Theiss Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diemer, G. (1985). “Ein urnenfelderzeitlichen Hortfund vom Schwanberg, Gemeinde Rödelsee, Landkreis Kitzingen, Unterfranken.” Das Archäologische Jahr in Bayern 1984: 64—66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gebhard, (1991). “Neue Hortfund vom Bullenheimer Berg, Gemeinde Ippesheim, Landkreis Neustadt a.d. Aisch-Bad Windesheim, Mittelfranken und Gemeinde Seinsheim, Landkreis Kitzingen, Unterfranken.” Das Archäologische Jahr in Bayern 1990: 52-66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Janssen, W. (1993). “Der Bullenheimer Berg.” In Das keltische Jahrtausend, ed. H. Dannheimer. Mainz: Philip von Zabern, 75-82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jockenhövel, A. (1975). “Zu befestigten Siedlungen der Urnenfelderzeit aus Süddeutschland.“ Fundberichte aus Hessen 14: 19-62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schauer, P. (1993). “Befestigte Höhen der Urnenfelderzeit und der älteren Eisenzeit in Süddeutschland.” In Das keltische Jahrtausend, ed. H. Dannheimer. Mainz: Philip von Zabern, 62-74.

    Google Scholar 

References

  • Engelhardt, B. (1987). Ausgrabungen am Main-Donau-Kanal: Archäologie und Geschichte im Herzen Bayerns. Buch am Erlbach: Leihdorf Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harding, A. F. (1994). “Reformation in Barbarian Europe, 1300-600 bc.” In The Oxford Illustrated Prehistory of Europe, ed. B. Cunliffe. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 304-335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rind, M. M. (1987). Die urnenfelderzeitliche Siedlung von Dietfurt/Oberpfalz. Oxford: BAR International Series 377.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, P. S. (1984). Farms, Villages, and Cities: Commerce and Urban Origins in Late Prehistoric Europe. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

References

  • Janssen, W. (1993). “Der Bullenheimer Berg.” In Das keltische Jahrtausend, ed. H. Dannheimer. Mainz: Philip von Zabern, 75-82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muller-Karpe, H. (1956). “Das urnenfelderzeitliche Wagengrab von Hart a. d. Alz, Oberbayern.” Bayerische Vorgeschichtsblätter 21: 46-75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schiek, S. (1962). “Ein Brandgrab der frühen Urnenfelderkultur von Mengen, Kr. Saulgau.” Germania 40: 130-145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, P. S. (1984). Farms, Villages, and Cities: Commerce and Urban Origins in Late Prehistoric Europe. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winghart, S. (1993). “Das Wagengrab von Poing, Lkr. Ebersberg, und der Beginn der Urnenfelderzeit in Südbayern.” In Das keltische Jahrtausend, ed. H. Dannheimer. Mainz: Philip von Zabern, 88-93.

    Google Scholar 

References

  • Engelhardt, B. (1987). Ausgrabungen am Main-Donau-Kanal: Archäologie und Geschichte im Herzen Bayerns. Buch am Erlbach: Leihdorf Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller-Karpe, H. (1952). Das Urnenfeld von Kelheim. Kallmünz/Opf: Michael Lassleben.

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller-Karpe, H. (1959). Beiträge zur Chronologie der Urnenfelderzeit nördlich und südlich der Alpen. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, M. L. (1992). “The Archaeology of Mystification: Ideology, Dominance, and the Urnfields of Southern Germany.” In Ancient Images, Ancient Thought: The Archaeology of Ideology, ed. A. S. Goldsmith, S. Garvie, D. Selin, and J. Smith. Calgary: University of Calgary, 97-104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, M. L. (1995). “Archaeological Landscapes and Social Development: Late Bronze and Iron Age Settlement Around Kelheim an der Donau, Germany.” Ph.D. diss. Harvard University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinecke, P. (1965). Mainzer Aufsätze zur Chronologie der Bronze- und Eisenzeit. Nachdrucke aus Altertümer unserer heidnischen Vorzeit 5 (1911) und Festschrift des Römisch-Germanischen Zentralmuseums (1902). Bonn: Rudolf Habelt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, P. S. (1984). Farms, Villages, and Cities: Commerce and Urban Origins in Late Prehistoric Europe. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anthropology, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minnesota, USA

    Matthew Murray

Authors
  1. Matthew Murray
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin, USA

    Peter N. Peregrine

  2. Human Relations Area Files/Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    Melvin Ember

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2001 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Murray, M. (2001). Western European Late Bronze Age. In: Peregrine, P.N., Ember, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Prehistory. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1187-8_35

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1187-8_35

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-7131-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-1187-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation