Bell Beaker stone wrist-guards as symbolic male ornament : The significance of ceremonial warfare

Abstract

Some artefacts of originally practical function might have gain prestigeous and symbolic meaning, especially in the time of introduction of important technological innovations or in the context of social ceremonies and warfare ritual activities. During the 3rd millennium BC the warfare symbolism became extremely important in the representation of social power, statuse and gender categories.

Archery became decisively important in the symbolic expression of warfare during the Bell Beaker Period.

Keywords

• Bell Beaker Period
• wristguards
• ceremonial warfare
• Europe
• social differenciation