Velebit, Tumulus Culture (Hügelgräber) Necropolis in the South of the Carpathian Basin

Abstract

The Velebit necropolis located in the southern zone of the Carpathian basin remains to this day an unpublished archaeological site, although it has been known for over 5 decades. It represents the only systematically investigated Tumulus culture (Hügelgräber Kultur) necropolis on the territory of Vojvodina, which makes it very important for studying influences of cultures from Central Europe and Transdanubia on Belegiš and Dubovac cultures in the Serbian part of the Danube basin, and on Vatin culture in the territory of Western Serbia. The bulk of the research documentation has been lost over time, requiring the authors of this paper to undertake completely new research in order to be able to present the results of excavations of this necropolis from the Bronze Age and Late Antiquity. Certain artefacts indicate economic stratification and the presence of craftsmen (metallurgists) in these communities which were mobile in character, which is considered one of the more significant traits of the Tumulus culture