Johann Friedrich Tolksdorf, Manfred Woidich, Joachim Wahl, Christoph Herbig

Trapezoid Structures from the Transition of the Younger to the Late Neolithic Time Period at Nördlingen, Southern Germany: Evidence for Collective Burial Sites?

Introduction

Trapezoid structures from the transition of the younger to the late neolithic time period at nördlingen, southern germany: evidence for collective burial sites?. Explore trapezoid structures from the Younger to Late Neolithic in Nördlingen, Southern Germany. Evidence suggests these are collective burial sites, revealing a wider tradition of non-megalithic graves.

Abstract

Death is a timeless, inevitable fact of human biology and the only explanation for the absence of burials from a distinct archaeological time period is therefore most likely caused by a low visibility due to the burial mode in combination with taphonomic processes. In respect of the favourable soils and the archaeological record piled up by decades of research, the absence of burials from the second half of the 4th millennium BC in the Nördlinger Ries area is remarkable but in line with the general scarce burial evidence from this time period in Southern Germany. Here we present a group of trapezoid structures discovered in the alluvial plain of the Eger valley near Nördlingen. Based on cremated human bones found in one of these structures we suggest the structures to have been collective burial chambers. Both the function and layout strongly resemble comparable grave chambers in Southwest Germany and may indicate that the Ries area was part of a wider tradition of non-megalithic burial structures.

Review

This paper addresses a notable lacuna in the archaeological record of Southern Germany: the perplexing absence of burials from the second half of the 4th millennium BC in regions like the Nördlinger Ries. The authors effectively frame this as a critical gap, especially given the otherwise favorable taphonomic conditions and extensive prior research. The discovery of a group of distinctive trapezoid structures in the Eger valley near Nördlingen thus represents a potentially significant breakthrough. By proposing these structures as collective burial chambers, the study aims to not only resolve a long-standing archaeological enigma but also to shed crucial light on funerary practices during the transition from the Younger to the Late Neolithic period. The core of the paper's argument rests upon the discovery of cremated human bones within one of these trapezoid structures, providing direct evidence for their funerary function. This crucial finding underpins the hypothesis that these were indeed collective burial sites, offering a compelling explanation for the previously "missing" mortuary evidence. Furthermore, the authors bolster their interpretation by highlighting strong resemblances between the function and layout of these Nördlingen structures and comparable non-megalithic grave chambers in Southwest Germany. This comparative approach not only strengthens the proposed function but also situates the Nördlinger Ries within a broader regional tradition of burial architecture and practices, suggesting a wider cultural interconnectedness during this period. Overall, this research offers a highly significant contribution to our understanding of Neolithic funerary archaeology in Southern Germany. By identifying a plausible mode of collective burial, the paper effectively addresses a substantial gap in the archaeological record, shifting our perception from an absence of death rituals to one of low visibility due to specific burial customs. The proposed connection to a wider tradition of non-megalithic structures further enriches our appreciation of regional cultural dynamics. This study is poised to stimulate further investigations into similar structures and may prompt a re-evaluation of other archaeologically "empty" periods, ultimately enhancing our knowledge of human mortuary practices during a pivotal phase of prehistory.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.