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The Laugen jug from Seeberg
Archaeologists usually define prehistoric cultural groups on the basis of the characteristic vessel shapes and decorative patterns of their ceramic wares. The first distinct cultural group to emerge in the valleys south of the Main Alpine Ridge was the Laugen-Melaun culture. A characteristic jug from this cultural group comes from the Seeberg site. Known as the Laugen jug, it has a triangular spout. The wall of the jug is decorated with grooves, raised bars and bumps. The rim of the mouth has two horn-like protuberances on either side of the handle. The jug is 18.3 cm high. The find dates from the end of the Bronze Age. At the time there was an offering site at Seeberg, which was used for centuries right up to the European Iron Age.
A closer look - the Laugen pottery
During the European Bronze Age people still shaped pottery using the handbuilding method. The potter’s wheel had not yet been invented. During the Late Bronze Age the southern Alpine valley between Brenner and Verona was characterized by pottery of the Laugen-Melaun type. Pots and jugs bore typical decorations in the form of raised bars and bumps . The rim of the mouth has two horn-like protuberances on either side of the handle. The decoration on the round handle mimics a basketweave pattern. The region in which these wares occur coincides largely with that of the Laugen-Melaun culture. The first unique cultural group to emerge in this region, the Laugen-Melaun culture later also spread into neighbouring regions.
A vessel and its manifold uses
Ceramic wares of the Laugen-Melaun type were used both in households and in ritual ceremonies. In everyday use they served as household crockery. Elaborately decorated wares were probably used at table. Simple storage vessels were usually left undecorated and were less polished in appearance.
The same ceramic goods are also found at burnt offering sites in the Alpine valleys from the Late Bronze Age. During ritual ceremonies people smashed jugs in libation rituals (pouring out of wine, etc. in honour of a god). Consequently, ceramic shards are often found at sacrificial sites together with the burnt remains of sacrificial animals.
Typical!
Individual cultural groups in prehistoric Europe can be identified from the typical shapes and characteristic decorations of their pottery. The area in which these ceramic wares are found coincides with the area occupied by the respective cultural group. Exceptions are individual pieces that were traded and therefore could appear far from where they were originally made. In such cases the items testify to relationships and trade links between various cultural groups.
Ceramic wares provide valuable information for dating finds. Based on the development of vessel forms and changes in decorative styles, it is even sometimes possible to distinguish between various phases within a single cultural group.
