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BRONZE AGE / IRON AGE 2.200 – 15 BC
In Central Europe the Bronze Age can be divided into three periods. Due to its geographical position it emerged later in the North. Social upheavals are in the center of this period. As a result of the bronze production there was installed an Upper class that organized and controlled the trade routes and the production of objects. Scientists deduce the social hierarchization mainly from the differing burial rituals.[1] So there have been found the so-called "princely tombs" with particulary rich burial objects. Leading positions were hereditary[2], accumulation of wealth through bronze was possible (bronze served as means of payment and was a desired object of exchange). In the context with trade also the possibility to a cultural exchange with the other countries was important. So religious beliefs, such as the veneration of solar deities were spread.[3] Celestial maps were important for the travels; boats, vehicles and ships were constructed and put in a religious connection with deities.[4] Weapons, jewelry and tools were made from bronze facilitating people's work and contributing thus to an augmented productivity. The population increased, new plants were cultivated, navigation, steerable vehicles and spoke wheels were invented.[5] People still were living in clans. We do not know very much about the women's role in society. Equally to upper class men even upper class women were buried with rich burial objects. Archeologists presume that in the Middle Bronze Age there was an egalitarian social structure.[6] This also is deduced from an egalitarian form of sepulture. In 2012 in Geitzendorf in Lower Austria has been found a burial site, where one grave gained a special significance. Scientists presume, that there was buried a woman who had worked as a metalworker. The found burial objects (anvil, hammer, hammerstones) were used for working metal. So it is assumed that women were responsible for fine and precise works, such as the production of jewelry out of bronze.[7] In the art the women's representations appeared less and less often. Explicit depictions of vulva and vagina disappeared. The female genitalia are mainly represented in a stylized way, mainly as rock engravings. The Iron Age is considered the last great age before the beginning of the Early History. It has been named after the material used for the production of tools and weapons. Datings from the beginning and the transition to a new age are varying within Europe as well as compared to other continents.[8]
In Central Europe the Bronze Age can be divided into three periods. Due to its geographical position it emerged later in the North. Social upheavals are in the center of this period. As a result of the bronze production there was installed an Upper class that organized and controlled the trade routes and the production of objects. Scientists deduce the social hierarchization mainly from the differing burial rituals.[1] So there have been found the so-called "princely tombs" with particulary rich burial objects. Leading positions were hereditary[2], accumulation of wealth through bronze was possible (bronze served as means of payment and was a desired object of exchange). In the context with trade also the possibility to a cultural exchange with the other countries was important. So religious beliefs, such as the veneration of solar deities were spread.[3] Celestial maps were important for the travels; boats, vehicles and ships were constructed and put in a religious connection with deities.[4] Weapons, jewelry and tools were made from bronze facilitating people's work and contributing thus to an augmented productivity. The population increased, new plants were cultivated, navigation, steerable vehicles and spoke wheels were invented.[5] People still were living in clans. We do not know very much about the women's role in society. Equally to upper class men even upper class women were buried with rich burial objects. Archeologists presume that in the Middle Bronze Age there was an egalitarian social structure.[6] This also is deduced from an egalitarian form of sepulture. In 2012 in Geitzendorf in Lower Austria has been found a burial site, where one grave gained a special significance. Scientists presume, that there was buried a woman who had worked as a metalworker. The found burial objects (anvil, hammer, hammerstones) were used for working metal. So it is assumed that women were responsible for fine and precise works, such as the production of jewelry out of bronze.[7] In the art the women's representations appeared less and less often. Explicit depictions of vulva and vagina disappeared. The female genitalia are mainly represented in a stylized way, mainly as rock engravings. The Iron Age is considered the last great age before the beginning of the Early History. It has been named after the material used for the production of tools and weapons. Datings from the beginning and the transition to a new age are varying within Europe as well as compared to other continents.[8]
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