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{{Short description|Prehistoric cemetery or burial ground}}
{{Expand Alemannisch|Alamannische Reihengräberfelder|fa=yes}}
[[Image:Verfärbige.jpg|thumb|300px|Excavation of the [[Alemanni]]c grave field at [[Sasbach (Ortenau)]].]]
[[Image:Verfärbige.jpg|thumb|300px|Excavation of the [[Alemanni]]c grave field at [[Sasbach (Ortenau)]].]]
A '''grave field''' is a prehistoric [[cemetery]], typically of [[Bronze Age Europe|Bronze Age]] and [[Iron Age Europe]].
A '''grave field''' is a prehistoric [[cemetery]], typically from [[Bronze Age Europe|Bronze Age]] and [[Iron Age Europe]].


Grave fields are distinguished from [[necropolis|necropoleis]] by the former's lack of above-ground structures, buildings, or grave markers.
Grave fields are distinguished from [[necropolis|necropoleis]] by the former's lack of remaining above-ground structures, buildings, or grave markers.


==Types==
==Types==
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*Kinding-Ilbling, [[Eichstätt (district)|Eichstätt district]], Germany
*Kinding-Ilbling, [[Eichstätt (district)|Eichstätt district]], Germany
;[[La Tène culture]]
;[[La Tène culture]]
*Münsingen-Rain, [[Berne]], Switzerland
*Münsingen-Rain, [[Bern]], Switzerland


==Northern Europe==
==Northern Europe==
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*[[Itzehoe]] tumulus, Germany
*[[Itzehoe]] tumulus, Germany
;[[Vendel period]]
;[[Vendel period]]
*[[Vendel]], [[Uppland]], Sweden
*[[Greby]], [[Bohuslän]], Sweden
*[[Greby]], [[Bohuslän]], Sweden
*Smålandsstenar, [[Gislaved Municipality]], Sweden
*Smålandsstenar, [[Gislaved Municipality]], Sweden
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[[Image:Maidligrab.jpg|thumb|300px|Remains of two girls buried in the same grave, 6th- to 7th-century grave in Sasbach.]]
[[Image:Maidligrab.jpg|thumb|300px|Remains of two girls buried in the same grave, 6th- to 7th-century grave in Sasbach.]]
[[Image:Grave from Farm of Lenin's Name.JPG|thumb|left|A [[maeotae]] skeleton of the burial ground near Farm of Lenin's Name, [[Krasnodar Krai|Krasnodar region]], [[Russia]] 4th to 2nd century BC]]
[[Image:Grave from Farm of Lenin's Name.JPG|thumb|left|A [[maeotae]] skeleton of the burial ground near Farm of Lenin's Name, [[Krasnodar Krai|Krasnodar region]], [[Russia]] 4th to 2nd century BC]]
[[Alemanni]]c grave fields date to the 5th to 8th century. Before the middle of the 5th century, grave fields are small, often including less than five graves, probably corresponding to a single homestead or family. The sparsity of graves in the early period may suggest partial [[cremation]]. In the mid- to late 5th century, burial customs appear to change, with the introduction of larger row-grave fields.
[[Alemanni]]c grave fields, dating from the 5th to 8th century. Before the middle of the 5th century, these grave fields were relatively small, often containing fewer than five graves, probably corresponding to a single homestead or family. The sparsity of graves in the early period may suggest partial [[cremation]]. In the mid- to late 5th century, burial customs appeared to change with the introduction of larger row-grave fields.


Grave fields are often arranged on elevated ground outside settlements. The arrangement of graves is often east to west &mdash; the head of the body placed on the western end, looking east.<ref name="Gerhard Fingerlin:">Gerhard Fingerlin: ''Zur alamannischen Siedlungsgeschichte des 3.-7. Jahrhunderts''. In: Wolfgang Hübner (Hrsg.): ''Die Alamannen in der Frühzeit.'' in: ''Veröffentlichung des Alemannischen Instituts Freiburg/Br.'' Kuhn, Villingen-Schwenningen 1974,34, S.47ff.</ref>
Grave fields are often arranged on elevated ground outside settlements. The arrangement of graves is often east to west &mdash; the head of the body placed on the western end, looking east.<ref name="Gerhard Fingerlin:">Gerhard Fingerlin: ''Zur alamannischen Siedlungsgeschichte des 3.-7. Jahrhunderts''. In: Wolfgang Hübner (Hrsg.): ''Die Alamannen in der Frühzeit.'' in: ''Veröffentlichung des Alemannischen Instituts Freiburg/Br.'' Kuhn, Villingen-Schwenningen 1974,34, S.47ff.</ref>


Until the beginning of the 6th century, these row graves are accompanied by more prestigious single graves including precious [[grave good]]s. Quast (1997) assumes that the 5th-century change in burial practice was due to a renewed influx of [[Elbe Germanic]] settlers ([[Danube Swabians]] displaced by [[Goths|Gothic]] migration).
Until the beginning of the 6th century, these row graves were often accompanied by more prestigious single graves including precious [[grave good]]s. Quast (1997) assumes that the 5th-century change in burial practice was due to a renewed influx of [[Elbe Germanic]] settlers ([[Danube Swabians]] displaced by [[Goths|Gothic]] migration).


Male graves often include weapons &mdash; in the mid-5th century typically a [[Francisca]] axe, besides [[Migration Period sword|spathas]] and [[seax]]es. Female graves often include jewellery, such as bracelets, ear-rings and [[Fibula (brooch)|fibulae]].
Male graves from this period often include weapons &mdash; in the mid-5th century typically a [[Francisca]] axe, besides [[Migration Period sword|spathas]] and [[seax]]es. In contrast, female graves often include jewellery, such as bracelets, earrings and [[Fibula (brooch)|fibulae]].


[[Image:Biigabe Kette.jpg|thumb|300px|6th- to 7th-century jewellery found in the [[Freiburg (region)|Freiburg district]].]]
[[Image:Biigabe Kette.jpg|thumb|300px|6th- to 7th-century jewellery found in the [[Freiburg (region)|Freiburg district]].]]


Large Alemannic row grave fields have been excavated at [[Lauchheim]], [[Gammertingen]], [[Weingarten (Württemberg)|Weingarten]], [[Ravensburg]], all in [[Swabia]], the one in Ravensburg including over 1,000 graves dating to between 450 and 710. The field in [[Sasbach (Ortenau)|Sasbach]] includes over 2,000 graves. [[Mengen, Germany|Mengen]] has over 1,000 graves.
Large Alemannic row grave fields have been excavated at [[Lauchheim]], [[Gammertingen]], [[Weingarten (Württemberg)|Weingarten]], and [[Ravensburg]], all in [[Swabia]]; the one in Ravensburg includes over 1,000 graves dating to between 50 and 710. The field in [[Sasbach (Ortenau)|Sasbach]] includes over 2,000 graves. [[Mengen, Germany|Mengen]] has over 1,000 graves.


Alemannic graves appear south of the Rhine, in the [[Swiss Plateau]], from the 6th century. Alemannic colonization of the Swiss plateau apparently took place from the [[Basel]] area, since the number of graves there declines simultaneously. Significant influx of Alemannic settlers to the Swiss plateau begins only in the 7th century. Grave fields from this period include one at [[Elgg]]-Ettenbühl near [[Winterthur]]; with 340 graves it is the largest field south of the [[High Rhine]].
Alemannic graves appear south of the Rhine, in the [[Swiss Plateau]], from the 6th century. The Alemannic colonization of the Swiss plateau apparently took place in the [[Basel]] area, since the number of graves there declined simultaneously. The significant influx of Alemannic settlers to the Swiss plateau began only in the 7th century. Grave fields from this period include one at [[Elgg]]-Ettenbühl near [[Winterthur]]; with 340 graves, stands as the largest field south of the [[High Rhine]].


[[Germanic Christianity|Christianization]] of the Alemanni during the 7th century brings about the end of the grave field traditions. The dead from this period were buried in [[graveyard]]s near churches. Prestigious graves of local nobility appears to have resisted the Christianization of burial customs into the 8th century, possibly until the 786 decree of [[Charlemagne]] outlawing pagan burial.
[[Germanic Christianity|Christianization]] of the Alemanni during the 7th century brought about the end of grave field traditions. The dead from this period were buried in [[graveyard]]s near churches. Prestigious graves of local nobility appear to have resisted the Christianization of burial customs into the 8th century, possibly until the 786 decree of [[Charlemagne]] outlawing pagan burial.


==See also==
==See also==
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{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Grave Field}}
[[Category:Cemeteries]]
[[Category:Cemeteries]]
[[Category:European archaeology]]
[[Category:Archaeology in Europe]]
[[Category:Archaeology of death]]
[[Category:Archaeology of death]]
[[Category:Indo-European archaeological sites]]
[[Category:Bronze Age Europe]]
[[Category:Bronze Age Europe]]
[[Category:Iron Age Europe]]
[[Category:Iron Age Europe]]

Latest revision as of 09:45, 20 February 2024

Excavation of the Alemannic grave field at Sasbach (Ortenau).

A grave field is a prehistoric cemetery, typically from Bronze Age and Iron Age Europe.

Grave fields are distinguished from necropoleis by the former's lack of remaining above-ground structures, buildings, or grave markers.

Types[edit]

Grave fields can be classified by type of burial custom:

Celtic grave fields[edit]

Hallstatt culture
La Tène culture
  • Münsingen-Rain, Bern, Switzerland

Northern Europe[edit]

Scandinavia[edit]

Nordic Bronze Age
Vendel period
Viking Age

Northern European Lowlands[edit]

Jastorf culture

Alemannic grave fields[edit]

Remains of two girls buried in the same grave, 6th- to 7th-century grave in Sasbach.
A maeotae skeleton of the burial ground near Farm of Lenin's Name, Krasnodar region, Russia 4th to 2nd century BC

Alemannic grave fields, dating from the 5th to 8th century. Before the middle of the 5th century, these grave fields were relatively small, often containing fewer than five graves, probably corresponding to a single homestead or family. The sparsity of graves in the early period may suggest partial cremation. In the mid- to late 5th century, burial customs appeared to change with the introduction of larger row-grave fields.

Grave fields are often arranged on elevated ground outside settlements. The arrangement of graves is often east to west — the head of the body placed on the western end, looking east.[1]

Until the beginning of the 6th century, these row graves were often accompanied by more prestigious single graves including precious grave goods. Quast (1997) assumes that the 5th-century change in burial practice was due to a renewed influx of Elbe Germanic settlers (Danube Swabians displaced by Gothic migration).

Male graves from this period often include weapons — in the mid-5th century typically a Francisca axe, besides spathas and seaxes. In contrast, female graves often include jewellery, such as bracelets, earrings and fibulae.

6th- to 7th-century jewellery found in the Freiburg district.

Large Alemannic row grave fields have been excavated at Lauchheim, Gammertingen, Weingarten, and Ravensburg, all in Swabia; the one in Ravensburg includes over 1,000 graves dating to between 50 and 710. The field in Sasbach includes over 2,000 graves. Mengen has over 1,000 graves.

Alemannic graves appear south of the Rhine, in the Swiss Plateau, from the 6th century. The Alemannic colonization of the Swiss plateau apparently took place in the Basel area, since the number of graves there declined simultaneously. The significant influx of Alemannic settlers to the Swiss plateau began only in the 7th century. Grave fields from this period include one at Elgg-Ettenbühl near Winterthur; with 340 graves, stands as the largest field south of the High Rhine.

Christianization of the Alemanni during the 7th century brought about the end of grave field traditions. The dead from this period were buried in graveyards near churches. Prestigious graves of local nobility appear to have resisted the Christianization of burial customs into the 8th century, possibly until the 786 decree of Charlemagne outlawing pagan burial.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Gerhard Fingerlin: Zur alamannischen Siedlungsgeschichte des 3.-7. Jahrhunderts. In: Wolfgang Hübner (Hrsg.): Die Alamannen in der Frühzeit. in: Veröffentlichung des Alemannischen Instituts Freiburg/Br. Kuhn, Villingen-Schwenningen 1974,34, S.47ff.
  • Die Alamannen. ed. Archäologisches Landesmuseum Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart 1997.
    • Dieter Quast: Vom Einzelgrab zum Friedhof. Beginn der Reihengräbersitte im 5. Jahrhundert.
    • Ingo Stork: Als Persönlichkeit ins Jenseits. Bestattungssitte und Grabraub als Kontrast.
  • Michael Hoeper: Alamannische Besiedlungsgeschichte im Breisgau, Reihengräberfelder und Gemarkungsgrenzen. In: Römer und Alamannen im Breisgau. Studien zur Besiedlungsgeschichte in Spätantike und frühem Mittelalter. Sigmaringen 1994. (In dr Reihe Archäologie und Geschichte. Freiburger Forschungen zum ersten Jahrtausend in Südwestdeutschland. Rüsgä vum Hans Ulrich Nuber, Karl Schmid, Heiko Steuer un em Thomas Zotz.)
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