Megalithic Cemeteries of the Funnel Beaker Culture in the Sandomierz Upland

Marek Florek

doi:10.23858/sa/72.2020.1.010

Abstract

In the Sandomierz Upland 39 confirmed or putative cemeteries of the Funnel Beaker Culture have been discovered so far, in addition to 4 burials found within settlements. Archaeological excavations have been conducted on 17 of these cemeteries; and on 8 of them large stone tombs have been discovered. The most common form of the megalithic tombs are very long trapezoids, built along the west-east direction, and with stone casing on their sides, and a large, post-framed room in the eastern, wider part of the trapezoid. The main grave, covered with a mound of earth, could be found behind the room, containing two parallel chambers, or a single tomb, most often with double burials. Large tombs are accompanied by flat graves, usually constructed using stone material. A clear example of funerary practices are deposits of flint tools and items, and a peculiar treatment of bodies discovered on some cemeteries, which might be described as apotropaic and anti-vampire rituals.

Highlights

In Malice Kościelne (Fig. 3), which so far appears to be the best-researched Funnel Beaker culture (FBC) cemetery in the Sandomierz Upland, two parallel trapezoidal tombs were discovered, along with flat graves located between the tombs towards the front, as well as directly to the east
The most basic type of megalithic tomb of the FBC in the Sandomierz Upland includes objects built on a surface, in the shape of a very long trapezoid or a triangle
In the area of the Sandomierz Upland, two types of FBC cemeteries can be found: megalithic ones, which include large tombs built at ground level from stone, wood, and excavated earth, with a number of burials inside; and non-megalithic ones, which contain only flat graves

Summary

Marek Florek

In the case of a further 13 sites known from surface surveys or accidental discoveries (Daromin, Garbacz-Skała, Gorzyczany, Kunów, Mydłów, Nasławice, Prusy sites 36 and 44, Sandomierz site 105, Stodoły Kolonia, Studzianki, Świrno, Złota), we can infer the very likely presence of similar, large trapezoidal tombs. The cemetery in Tominy, which has been the subject of research during the past couple years (see Szeliga 2012), is suspected to contain such constructions, most likely occupying the south-eastern part of the site. It appears, that the presence of megalithic tombs can be ruled out in site 2 in Kichary Nowe. The hypothesis that five FBC stone-box graves discovered there were covered with a single earthen mound (Kowalewska-Marszałek et al 2006, 356-357) is no longer supported, and archaeological analogies for such an object would be difficult to find

Cemetery locations

Spatial patterns

Types of tombs

Funeral rites

Grave goods

Conclusion