The Rhône culture was an archaeological culture of the Early Bronze Age (-1500 BC) located in eastern France and western Switzerland, centred along the Rhône river. The culture developed from the local Bell Beaker culture, possibly with further migrations from central Europe.
The metallurgy and ceramics of the Rhône culture are particularly similar to those of the Straubing group in Bavaria, suggesting contacts or shared cultural influences between the two regions. The economy features innovations such as the introduction of new cereal crops and a pasture-based economy, with intensified cattle farming.
Ethnic identity
For Bernard Sergent, the origin of the Ligurian linguistic family (which he considers distantly related to the Italic and Celtic families) can be traced back to the Rhône and Polada cultures, both strongly linked to Central European Unetice traditions.
Artefacts and characteristics
The Thun-Renzenbühl axe
The Thun-Renzenbühl axe (), found near Thun and attributed to the Rhône culture, is one of the earliest examples of the use of damascening technique in the world. The gold inlay decoration on the axe may also have a numerical, astronomical meaning.
Its complex decoration and relatively poor casting quality indicate that it served primarily as an object of prestige or status.
Gallery
See also Únětice culture Bronze Age Britain Armorican Tumulus culture Polada culture Pyrenean Bronze Ottomány culture Wietenberg culture Tumulus culture Nordic Bronze Age
References
External links