Laugen-Melaun culture

[1] The name derives from two findspots in the Eisacktal, where artefacts belonging to the culture have been found: the small Lake Laugen between Natz and Elvas and the village of Mellaun (formerly spelt "Melaun") near Brixen.It appears that feasting took place while the offerings were burning, since heaps of smashed pottery are typical of the sanctuary sites.The pitcher of Laugen, found at Villanders and preserved at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, is typical of the culture: it has a triangular nozzle, a decorative outer grooves, and a height of 18.3 cm ; next to the handle are two horn-shaped appendices.In the 8th century, iron was also adopted locally, but the relevant level ("Laugen-Melaun C") did not merge with the norther Hallstatt culture.[2] Locally manufactured pottery of the Laugen-Melaun style is found from around 1200 BC in Alpine Rhine region, which is otherwise characterised by different cultural assemblages,[3] and even in Sarganserland.
Jug of the Laugen-Melaun-Kultur, ca. 1000 BC, found at Feldkirch, Austria.
View of Lake Laugen, which gave its name to the culture as a result of archaeological finds.
North ItalyAustriaSwitzerlandBronze AgeIron AgeUrnfield cultureFacies of the pile dwellings and of the dammed settlementsFritzens-Sanzeno cultureGermanarchaeological cultureTrentinoSouth TyrolEast TyrolEngadinReschen PassEisacktalBrixenGero von MerhartMiddle Bronze Agevotive offeringsVillandersSouth Tyrol Museum of ArchaeologycopperHallstatt cultureEtruscansGreeksPo ValleyVenetiAlpine RhineSarganserlandHistorical Dictionary of SwitzerlandDer Schlern