10.12766/JNA.2005.16
Klassen, Lutz
Lutz
Klassen
Zur Bedeutung von Getreide in der Einzelgrabkultur Jütlands
Journal of Neolithic Archaeology
2005
Article
2012-02-27
2012-02-27
2019-08-24
2005-12-15
de
Journal of Neolithic Archaeology, 7 (2005)
The importance of cereals in the Single Grave Culture in Jutland Until 25 years ago, the Single Grave Culture in Jutland was perceived as a culture of nomadic cattle herders. A number of newer settlement finds allows us today to partly revise that picture. Pollen analysis still indicates a major importance of cattle breeding, but a number of finds demonstrate that cereals also played an important role. This role can be described by a closer examination of the information at hand today. It is possible to discern between direct and indirect sources. Among the direct sources, the first demonstration of beer made from cereals can be cited besides finds of cereal grains. Further information can be gained from numerous pollen analyses from samples of both lakes and bogs and from fossil earth layers underneath barrows, the barrows themselves or contents of ceramic vessels. Furthermore, impressions of cereal grains in ceramics, ard marks underneath barrows, quern stones and some forms of pottery decorations all contribute to our knowledge. The results of the investigation show, that naked barley was grown almost exclusively in the early and middle phases of the Single Grave Culture, where it was of minor economic importance only. In the late phase of the culture, settlement expands onto more fertile soils in Eastern Jutland. In this phase, an increasing amount of emmer wheat was grown and the overall economic importance of cereals was probably increasing. Furthermore, it is important to note a remarkable ritual importance of cereals during the whole lifetime of the Single Grave Culture. This is indicated by a high degree of handling and consuming cereals within the grave cult.
Journal of Neolithic Archaeology, 7 (2005)