Chronology and Distribution of Corded Ware Groups in Saxony-Anhalt

The article examines thechronology and distribution of regional and local groups within the Corded Ware Culture in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It begins with a brief overview of the research history. Until the early 1990s, the approach to chronology was typological, sometimes based on some stratigraphically “dated” graves. Multivariate procedures have been applied since the late 1990s. At the same time, chronological research is based on graves dated by 14C. In this study, radiocarbon-dated graves form a basis for typological work. Using the radiocarbon dates, three main stages of the Corded Ware Culture can be identified (Stages 1–3). Furthermore, the first stage can be subdivided into three sub-stages (1a1, 1a2, 1b). Each stage lasted about 150 years, the sub-stages 1a2 and 1b even half this time. The number of radiocarbon-dated graves of Stage 1 of the Corded Ware Culture has increased from four to 52, at least reliably dated graves, since the studies of Johannes Müller and Martin Furholt. Thus, the focus of the chronological study is on this early stage. Beyond chronology, the shapes and decorations of the ceramics allow us to define regional and local groups of the Corded Ware Culture (CWC) in Saxony-Anhalt. Regional groups include the Saale estuary Group (SEG), the North Harz Group (NHG), the South Harz Group (SHG), and the Middle Saale Group (MSG), which may define the territories of ethnic groups or sub-groups. In contrast, four local sections in the north, middle, centre, southeast, and southwest of the Middle Saale Group may define the territories of leading clans.