Unstrut culture

The origin of the Unstrut culture is associated with the strong influence of the traditions of the circle of cultures of burial mounds . At the same time, its development was also influenced by other cultures - the South Germanic culture of the fields of funeral urns , the Knoviz culture and the Luzick culture .

Unstrut culture (at a late stage - Thuringian culture) existed from stage D of the Bronze Age to stage D of the Hallstatt period according to the chronology of Paul Reinecke , that is, in 1300-480 / 450. BC e. In its development, several stages are distinguished (according to C. Peschel):

• Arnshdatd phase - bronze D and Hallstatt A1 (1300–1100 BC)
• Kunitz phase - Hallstatt A2 (1100-1050 / 1020 BC)
• Laasdorf phase (western part) and Gotha phase (eastern part) - Hallstatt B1 (1050 / 1020-950 / 920 BC)
• Heldrungen phase - Hallstatt B2-3 (950 / 920-800 BC)
• Thuringian culture - Hallstatt C and D (800-480 / 450 BC)

The area of ​​distribution of the Unstrut culture covered the territory of present Thuringia , reaching the southern foothills of the Harz , and in the west it reached the central basin of the river. Saale .

The population of the Unstrut culture settled in the most fertile territories of Thuringia, and at the end of the Bronze Age, when it replaced the Ludwick culture from the upper reaches of the Saale, it also occupied lands in the basin of this river. Settled both in open settlements and defensive in nature, while the latter were often located on the hills. The main role in the economy was played by agriculture and cattle breeding.

Among the burials, skeletal ones predominated, however, there was a significant number of cremation burials, with the latter appearing more often over time. In skeletal burials, the body of the deceased was laid on his back, in an elongated position, with his head in a southerly direction, after which the grave was covered with stones and covered or surrounded by a mound. Cremated burials were carried out in funeral urns. Both types of burials were accompanied by funeral gifts in the form of ceramics and metal products.

In some settlements of the Unstrut culture, traces of cannibalism were found: human bones with traces of processing similar to that of the bones of animals. Such traces were found in a settlement on the territory of modern Erfurt , as well as in caves located in the vicinity of Bad Frankenhausen , where, most likely, there was a cult place of this culture. This indicates the ritual role that cannibalism probably played. Other traces of the presence of cannibalism were found in the Knoviz culture that existed at the same time.

Amphora vessels with a characteristic thickened upper part of the body near the neck itself, usually with two handles, were typical for ceramic products of this culture. In addition, vessels are also known that resemble vessels of the Knoviz culture , as well as vessels with a wide opening with a protruding edge. In addition, there are also cups , scoops, bowls and vessels, reminiscent of items of puddle culture .

In the metal inventory in the early stages, there are items such as spiral disks made of wire with a hook bent end, shoulder pads decorated with triangles, spiral brooches, bracelets, greaves, swords of Western European origin, sickles and hatchets. For later stages, typical are, on the contrary, hatchets with “wings”, necklaces decorated with diagonal grooves, massive bronze bracelets in the form of a stirrup and large, massive bronze hairpins with a profiled head.

During its existence, the Thuringian culture was influenced by the West Hallstatt culture . The end of the Thuringian-Unstrut culture was laid by the Celts , who arrived on the territory of Thuringia at the end of the Hallstatt period .

• Marek Gedl , Archeologia pierwotna i wczesnośredniowieczna , część III Epoka brązu i wczesna epoka żelaza w Europie , Drukarnia Uniwersytetu Jagielońskiego, Kraków 1985.