Architecture, stratigraphy and meaning of the late Hallstatt monumental burial mound of Eberdingen-Hochdorf. Presentation, interpretation and comparative analyses of the features and finds.

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Dirk Lutz Krausse
• Subject Area: Prehistory and World Archaeology
• Term: from 2016 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 290085912

During the Late Hallstatt period, a new burial custom developed in Central Europe: Members of the elite were buried in monumental tumuli. An exceptional example for this architecture is the burial mound "Biegel" in Eberdingen-Hochdorf (rural district Ludwigsburg). The analyses of the features from the burial mound in Hochdorf provides an ideal source to understand the monumental tumuli as a particular form of architecture in regard to their relation to the cultural historic environment.Previous research struggles with the superficial uniformity of the monumental tumuli. The actual diversity of this type of architecture is only accessible through the research of the archaeological features and a comparative analysis of the tumuli excavated until now. The architecture of the tumuli is affected by different parameters like regional or even local traditions, available building material or the requirements of the funeral ritual. Furthermore, the monumental tumuli are to be seen in the context of elite architecture which is embedded into the existing architectural tradition but is striving for individuality to support the claim to power. The central European monumental tumuli and the elite burials are not an isolated phenomenon but part of a larger context, including grave monuments in other regions like for example Etruria, Greece, Anatolia or Crimea.The current project has two main research objectives: On the one hand, the analysis and publication of the excavated features from the burial mound in Eberdingen-Hochdorf and on the other hand to give insights into the architectural tradition of building monumental burial mounds during the Early Iron Age. While the first objective of the project is almost accomplished, the comparative analysis of the features from Eberdingen-Hochdorf with other grave monuments and a summary of the results are still to be done. This will put the monumental burial mounds of the Hallstatt on the map of the European history of architecture.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants