Cremation Burials in the Region between the middle Danube...

A radical change of burial customs took place in large parts of central Europe during the 13th century BC. The dead were no longer buried in inhumation graves - as was customary until then - but burned and laid to rest in urns. This characteristic burial practice gave the name to the Urnfield culture that performed this rite. This transformation of burial customs is probably connected to far reaching changes in society and religious beliefs, which cannot, however, determined in detail. Notwithstanding, there is no doubt that the Urnfield culture developed an enormous dynamic and spread from its central European area of origin to Western Europe, Italy and the Balkans. There are indications for Urnfield influences still in Greece. It is even possible that population groups from the area of the Urnfield culture belonged to the Sea People who destroyed many cities on the shores of the eastern Mediterranean in the 12th century BC before they were defeated by the Pharaoh Ramses III. The Urnfield culture has, therefore, a nearly world-historical significance that explains the great interest in its study. All relevant research questions are, however, not yet resolved. This is especially true for the fast and wide expansion of the Urnfield culture. With these conference proceedings we aim to contribute to resolving these problems. These proceedings have thus a clearly defined research focus. Supra-regional commonalities as well as local peculiarities are discussed to clarify the question of contacts and mutual influences between the various central and southeast European regions in the sphere of influence of the Urnfield culture. Particular attention is paid to the implementation of burials and burial rites. These important aspects were not hitherto in the focus of research. Not only archaeologists but also physical anthropologists are participating to enhance the understanding of these procedures. It can be considered a great success that contributions of leading scholars from Hungary, Rumania, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Greece, and Austria could be collected in this volume.