Bronze Age in Romania

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The Bronze Age is a period in the

Prehistoric Romanian timeline and is sub-divided into Early Bronze Age (c. 3500–2200 BC), Middle Bronze Age (c. 2200–1600/1500 BC), and Late Bronze Age (c. 1600/1500–1100 BC).[1]

Periodization

Several Bronze Age chronologies have been applied to the Romanian area. An example would be the Periodization of Paul Reinecke for the Central European space, which split the Bronze Age into four phases (A, B, C and D) based upon the associations among the found bronze objects.[1]

Features

Coţofeni culture pottery at the Aiud History Museum, Aiud
Wietenberg culture artifacts. In display at the National Museum of Transylvanian History, Cluj-Napoca

During the Bronze Age, there were some important developments from the Chalcolithic, with significant improvements in the economy.

The local bronze-aged economy was based on rearing livestock (sheep, goats and pigs). The Wietenberg culture reared large cattle and horses for both transportation and food. At this time, the artistic output also significantly increased, for example the Gârla Mare culture who created intricate clay statuettes.

In the Early Bronze Age (c. 3500–2200 BC), we see the archaeological evidence of various cultures developing, including the

pendants comprising copper, gold, and silver and particularly bronze
).

Verbicioara culture was identified in 1949 by the eponymous resort excavations.[citation needed] Regarding burial customs, it was considered the beginning of the burial of the dead.[2]

In the Middle Bronze Age (c. 2200–1600/1500 BC), the population of

Gârla Mare culture
(from which impressive clay figurines and statuettes have been found).

Religion

The Bronze Age introduced solar, or

concentric circles, circles accompanied by rays, and the swastika.[citation needed] Cremation is considered to be connected to these cults.[3]

In the

Clay miniature

Cretan and Mycenaean worlds, where they occur most often in complex rituals and tombs (for example the Tomb of double ax of Knossos).[citation needed] In the Mycenaean context, the labrys has a wide range of sizes, from miniature forms to giant forms that measure 1.20 meters. However, the labrys site is frequently associated with the moon and can be a symbol of a goddess of vegetation, the forerunner of Demeter, who, on Mycenaean seals, is found under a tree. The goddess has an ax in her hand and receives as gifts poppies and fruits.[citation needed
]

Gallery

  • Sarasau hoard 1300-1200 BC
    Sarasau hoard 1300-1200 BC
  • Sarasau hoard 1300-1200 BC
    Sarasau hoard 1300-1200 BC

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b Cristian Ștefan-Epoca Bronzului, page 1
  2. ^ "Cu Privire La Descoperirile Funerare Ale Grupei Verbicioara". Archaeology.ro. 2004-12-09. Archived from the original on 2012-03-17. Retrieved 2012-02-09.
  3. ^ a b "Credinte religioase si piese de cult in epoca bronzului - Prehistoire". Prehistoire.e-monsite.com. Archived from the original on 2011-09-13. Retrieved 2012-02-09.

References

External links