THE CELTIC CUSTOM ( AND INDO-EUROPEAN GENERAL ) OF CREMATION.1300 BCE
Around 1300 BCE, what is now known as the Urnfield culture emerged in central and eastern Europe. It is named for the burial practice of cremating the dead and placing their ashes in urns. Prior to this, the Tumulus culture of the preceding four centuries used burial mounds. As with all such transitions, the change was not immediate or sharply defined, but took place gradually over many years with both methods in use at the same time.
The Urnfield culture was widespread, covering much of Europe north of the Alps, from what is now France to the Danube basin. It was not unified of course; many local variations have been found. In many cases the style of pottery used by Urnfield people changes abruptly from one place to another, suggesting boundaries between tribes or cultural subgroups. However, a general culture can be discerned throughout the entire region.
| @ViriliHyperborum
