Bandkeramik Culture (jan 1, 5600 BC – jan 1, 4900 BC)

Description:

LBK - The bandkeramik culture c.5600-5000 BC
Developed in western Hungary in the middle of the 6th mill BC 5600 BC
> spread across whole central europe - reaching rhineland by 5300 BC

- importance: it was the foundation on which all subsequent Neolithic communities of northern and Northwestern Europe developed.

Characteristics:
- the pottery with incised banded decoration
- massive Longhouses of fairly standardized construction
- polished stone ‘shoe-last’ adzes (narrow and elongated)
- single grave burials, on side, with a pot, sometimes grouped in cemeteries
- particular type of site location → preference for well-drained river terraces
A increase in population growth compared to mesolithic period → followed by a fall in population after a few centuries → more stable farming strategies developed.
Ancient DNA analysis points out that Bandkeramik settlers followed river valleys, planted small fields of cereals, legumes and pastured cattle along the forest margins, while they spread steadily across central Europe.
Some contact between indigenous hunter gatherers and settlers> man from expanding farming groups marrying women from local foraging communities?
- evidence for Hostilities between neighboring Bandkeramik groups
- Around c. 5000 BC began to diversify, mainly defined by their pottery.
- → Trichterbecher culture (TBR)
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- The Bandkeramik culture (LBK) is characterized by globular pottery with incised 'waved-bands' decoration; Long rectangular houses and stone adzes often made from amphibolite.

- People of the Bandkeramik culture lived in hamlets/villages that were situated on fertile loess soils, which were created by cutting open spaces in deciduous forests.

- Bandkeramik culture societies migrated throughout Europe.

- Bandkeramik culture societies were very simular from east to west Europe.

- Mass graves such as Talheim indicate that there was a crisis that led to the collapse of this Bandkeramik culture around 4900 BC. This was probably caused by overpopulation and dwindling resources; more diverse farming communities succeeded them.

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