Feuerböcke und Mondidole aus Gräbern – Ein Beitrag zum Symbolgut der späten Bronze- und frühen Eisenzeit Mitteleuropas

Abstract

Firedogs and moon idols belong to the symbolic world of the Urnfield Culture. A general approach on this group of objects, which have mainly been found in settlements, is still pending. Recently, the firedogs and moon idols of the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age in Central Europe have been in the focus of research. A systematic analysis of these objects from graves has produced new results, particularly with regard to the chronological position, the distribution, and their cultural meaning. The first firedogs and moon idols in graves appear in the 9th century BC. During the early Iron Age they became typical in eastern Central Europe. They emerge only in some archaeological cultures and are linked to specific groups of persons. Apparently these groups are religious communities. The firedogs and moon idols are an expression not only of material culture but especially of spiritual culture.