The Endneolithikum of the Lower Traisen valley

Since 1981, continuing rescue excavations in the Unteren Traisental (Lower Traisen valley) of Lower Austria, have identified nearly 130 burials dating to the final Neolithic period. They belong to the Corded Ware and Bell Beaker cultures, neither previously well-documented in Austria. Only a few finds were known prior to 1980, and a comprehensive synthetic study remains lacking. Analysis and interpretation of the Unteren Traisental material would greatly enlarge our understanding of the period from 2900 to 2200 B.C. in the eastern part of Austria, and be of significant help in reconstructing prehistoric society and culture at the end of the Neolithic period, insofar as this is possible from exclusively mortuary evidence.

Since 1981, continuing rescue excavations in the Unteren Traisental (Lower Traisen valley) of Lower Austria, have identified nearly 130 burials dating to the final Neolithic period. They belong to the Corded Ware and Bell Beaker cultures, neither previously well-documented in Austria. Only a few finds were known prior to 1980, and a comprehensive synthetic study remains lacking. Analysis and interpretation of the Unteren Traisental material would greatly enlarge our understanding of the period from 2900 to 2200 B.C. in the eastern part of Austria, and be of significant help in reconstructing prehistoric society and culture at the end of the Neolithic period, insofar as this is possible from exclusively mortuary evidence.