Velebit, a Tumulus Culture Necropolis in the Southern Carpathian Basin (Vojvodina, Serbia)

Abstract

The Velebit necropolis, located in the southern Carpathian Basin remains to this day an unpublished archaeological site, although it has been known for almost 50 years. It represents the only systematicallyinvestigated Tumulus (Hügelgräber) culture necropolis in the territories of Serbia and Vojvodina which has not been completely published so far. Bi-ritual burial rites from the Bronze Age perspective of the Velebit necropolis are not so rare in the Tumulus Culture commonwealth (Central Europe, Carpathian Basin and Transdanubian region), but the equal representation of both burial customs is quite uncommon. Graves from the undisturbed contexts at the Velebit necropolis show some dif erences in Koszider bronze and pottery burial gifts, gender and maybe social diferentiation in communities. Certain artefacts possibly indicate economic strati cation and the presence of craftsmen (metallurgists) in these Middle Bronze Age communities, which is considered one of the more signi cant traits of the Tumulus Culture.