Megalithic Cemeteries of the Funnel Beaker Culture in the Sandomierz Upland

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.

Ancient history · Archaeology · Beaker · Coffin · Excavation · Geography · Human settlement · Megalith · Ancient and Medieval Archaeology Studies · Historical and Archaeological Studies · History