| Geographical range | Valais, West and CentralSwitzerland. |
|---|---|
| Period | LaterNeolithic,Chalcolithic |
| Dates | 3900-3500 BC |
| Preceded by | Classic Cortaillod, Early Cortaillod,La Hoguette culture,Cardial culture |
| Followed by | Horgen culture |
TheCortaillod culture is one of several archaeologically defined cultures belonging to theNeolithic period ofSwitzerland. TheCortaillod Culture in the west of the region is contemporary with thePfyn Culturein the east and dates from between 3900-3500 BC. TheClassic Cortaillod culture of the western Alpine foreland and theEarly Cortaillod culture of central Switzerland pre-date this at 4300-3900 BC.
Evidence, such as higher frequencies ofdog bones and pendants made from dogmetapodials, suggests a special relationship between dog and man during the later part of this period in the western part and the earlyHorgen culture in the eastern part of theAlpine foreland.
The culture is named for the village ofCortaillod in the canton ofNeuchâtel.[1]
Schibler, J. 2006. The economy and environment of the 4th and 3rd millennia BC in the northern Alpine foreland based on studies of animal bones.Environmental Archaeology 11(1): 49-64
