Added December 11, 2001. Updated February 4,
2009, 14:20 -5 hours GMT.
This page will be updated occasionally
to add and revise information.
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Mondsee Group/Culture
Version 3.01
By
Maximilian O. Baldia
(Copyright 2001 - February 4,
2009©. All rights reserved)
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The purpose of this text is to
provide a general overview of the culture and is intended as a resource for
students and teachers of European Archaeology.
Map
of North and part of Central Europe
Central European chronological table
Graph of calibrated Mondsee 14C dates
Location
Mondsee is sometimes seen as a “culture” in its own right or as a “group” within the Funnel Beaker culture/interaction sphere (TRB) of Central Europe and southern Scandinavia (cf. Ruttkay et al. 2004:54-56). The Mondsee “Group” is named after Mondsee (Moon Lake), one of three lakes near Salzburg, Upper Austria. In the area remains of “lake dwellings” (German: Pfahlbauten) have and upland sites are reported (e.g. Ruttkay et al. 2004).
Dating
Precise dating is problematic The graph of calibrated Mondsee radiocarbon dates shows a maximum range of 3800-2800 cal BC, but dates have a very large standard deviation. The four phase typology is based purely on pottery classification (cf. Ruttkay et al. 2004).
The most diagnostic Mondsee is identified by the deeply
incised “stab and drag” (German: Furchenstich) technique executed
in circular designs. The designs are filled with white paste. Naturally, not
all pottery is decorated.
Overall, the pottery shows affinities with the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB), but it has also been connected with Altheim ceramics and some pots are reported to exhibits similarities with the later Cham pottery (Ruttkay 1990). However, the relationship with Altheim pottery has recently been negated (cf. Ruttkay et al. 2004). Furthermore, the pottery has been grouped together with Retz and Bajč pottery found in Lower Austria, Slovakia, and adjacent regions (e.g. Dimitrijevic 1981). Finally, similarities with Lasinja culture-related pottery in southeast Austria have been observed (e.g. Ruttkay et al. 2004, Ruttkay and Pucher 2006).
The ground stone axes of the Mondsee group are similar to those of the Funnel Beaker culture. This includes flat-hammer, round-butted and knob-butted axes (Ruttkay et al. 2004, Zápotocký 1992).
There is considerable evidence of copper production, including crucibles. Nonetheless, the source of the copper has been an object of discussion. The ancient copper mine of the Götschenberg could be considered as a possible source, but it was later thought to have been exploited by people with Altheim pottery. Even more recent research suggests that the Götschenberg copper mining evidence is much later than Altheim (and by extension Mondsee). Instead, the site of Brixlegg-Mariahilfbergl, near Innsbruck, Austria, may be considered as the source (e.g. Höppner et al. 2005). Unfortunately, no Mondsee pottery is known from this site, even though the mine was already exploited by people using Münchshöfen pottery, which is a western style related to the Lengyel interaction sphere.
It is suggested that Mondsee copper was exported to the northern parts of the Funnel Beaker culture (e.g. Rutkay et al. 2004).
The size of domesticated bovines suggests a western European connection, rather than a relationship with the Funnel Beaker culture. According to Pucher and Engel (1997) animal husbandry was primitive. All domestic animals were comparatively small and suffered from malnutrition. Most male calves were slaughtered shortly after birth while most cows were slaughtered as early adults. Similarly, domesticated pigs were slaughtered early. This suggests meat consumption of both species. Dogs were also consumed occasionally. On the other hand, the age distribution of sheep and goats suggests the use of dairy products and perhaps the use of wool. However, the use of wool has not been archaeologically demonstrated for Central and Northern Europe during this period (cf. Ancient Textiles).
Hunting focused on red deer and chamois, particularly during the late autumn and winter.
Domesticated plants include emmer and einkorn, barley, linen (flax), and opium poppy. Wild nuts and fruit were gathered. They include hazelnut, apple, strawberry raspberry, blackberry and black elderberry (Ruttkay et al. 2004:53).
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Please send comments or questions to Max Baldia.
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