Using selected ceramics, we gain an insight into the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age cultures of Middle Germany. Characteristics such as shape, decoration, and surface texture can be used to find similarities within a culture. Do you recognise these similarities and are you able to assign the two different ceramics to the respective culture?
(5500–4900 BC)
This culture is notable for the curvilinear and angular decoration of its clay vessels with banded patterns. It is one of the oldest farming communities in Europe.
Large round-bottomed jar, Eilsleben, Börde district, Saxony-Anhalt.
Bottle with ochre painting, Kannawurf, Thuringia.
© LDA, photos: Juraj Lipták.
(4900–4600 BC)
The name of this culture derives from the angular bands with stroke decorations applied to the moist clay. The decorations are composed of vertical and horizontal lines and bands. Both are typical utilitarian vessels of the Stroke-ornamented Ware.
Bottle with belly lugs, Hausneindorf, Harz district, Saxony-Anhalt.
Ring-based vessel, Heldrungen, Thuringia.
© LDA, photos: Juraj Lipták.
(4000–3400 BC)
The name of this culture goes back to the place of its first discovery. Most of the clay vessels have no decoration, but are clearly structured by the neck, shoulder, and lower part. The grey-brown, almost leather-like surface is very typical.
Funnel beaker, Schraplau, Saale district.
Amphora, Halle, Dölauer Heide area, both in Saxony-Anhalt.
© LDA, photos: Juraj Lipták.
(3700–3350 BC)
As a regional group of the north-western Funnel Beaker cultures, the Tiefstich pottery (Incised Ware) had reached Saxony-Anhalt from the north. Bulbous flared rim vessels with extensive fringe patterns are typical vessel types and decorations.
Funnel beaker, Düsedau, Stendal district.
Funnel beaker, Gödnitz, Anhalt-Bitterfeld district, both in Saxony-Anhalt.
© LDA, photos: Juraj Lipták.
(3400–3100 BC)
The Salzmünde Culture, which developed from the Baalberge Culture, was a rather small regional group within the Funnel Beaker cultures. Typical are the one- or two-handled jugs with long neck and short body with vertical linear bands as patterning.
Jug, Brachwitz.
Jug, Dörstewitz, both Saale district, Saxony-Anhalt
© LDA, photos: Juraj Lipták.
(3100–2650 BC)
Bulbous cups with particularly wide handles and grip lugs are typical material evidence of the Bernburg Culture, which developed from local cultures.
Egeln, Salzlandkreis.
Dedeleben, Harz district, both in Saxony-Anhalt.
© LDA, photos: Juraj Lipták.
(2800–2050 BC)
Along with the Bell Beaker culture, it is one of the two great cultures of the 3rd millennium BC, which came from the eastern steppes and united large parts of Europe. The characteristic vessel forms of the Corded Ware Culture include beakers with cylindrical necks and the characteristic ornamentation of lines and triangular patterns created by impressions/imprints of braided cords. The same ornamentation was also used for the amphorae typical of the Corded Ware Culture.
Beaker and amphora, Halle, Dölauer Heide area, Saxony-Anhalt.
© LDA, photos: Juraj Lipták.
(2800–2200 BC)
This culture, which was mainly restricted to Middle Germany, was probably accompanied by a spiritual change. For the first time, the dead were exclusively cremated. Particularly eye-catching are their shallow clay bowls decorated with ray patterns which were probably hung up and displayed solar symbolism.
Calotte bowl, Klein-Möringen, Stendal district.
Calotte bowl, Hohlstedt, Mansfeld-Südharz district, both in Saxony-Anhalt.
© LDA, photos: Juraj Lipták.
(2500–2050 BC)
The Bell Beaker Culture, which was distributed insularly throughout most of Europe, can in Saxony-Anhalt be traced mainly south-west of the River Elbe. The shape of the beaker, reminiscent of an inverted bell, gives its name to this cultural group, which originally probably came to Europe from the eastern steppes.
Bell beaker, Schkopau, Saale district.
Bell beaker, Neehausen, Mansfeld-Südharz district, both in Saxony-Anhalt.
© LDA, photos: Juraj Lipták.
(2300–1600 BC)
As proven by genetic analyses, the Early Bronze Age Únětice Culture is a combination of two predecessor cultures: the Corded Ware Culture and the Bell Beaker Culture. A typical ceramic product of this culture is the classic Únětice cup with carinated spindle-shaped body and a handle just above the carination.
Classic cup, Uftrungen, Mansfeld-Südharz district.
Footed cup, Halberstadt, Harz district, both in Saxony-Anhalt.
© LDA, photos: Juraj Lipták.