Absolutchronologie und die Entstehung der Schnurkeramik

The analysis of the available radiocarbon and dendrochronological dates of the Central European Corded Ware/Single Grave Culture gives new evidence for the evaluation of the formation processes of the Central European Corded Ware and the problem of the so-called „A-Horizon“. Ceramic forms in single graves develop earlier in Poland than in western and southern Central Europe. It is possible to show the development of a non-ceramic Corded Ware – or the development of a „corded ware-fashioned“ burial rite – in the western parts that takes place contemporaneous with the early CWC in Poland. This points towards a spread of Corded Ware cultural traits through a wide-spanning communication network rather than through migration. The dates also point towards the existence of an „A-Horizon“ in the 28th century BC, though it is shown that this horizon is to be understood as a number of connencting forms within different regional contexts.