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Agrave field is a prehistoriccemetery, typically fromBronze Age andIron Age Europe.
Grave fields are distinguished fromnecropoleis by the former's lack of remaining above-ground structures, buildings, or grave markers.
Grave fields can be classified by type ofburial custom:
Alemannic grave fields, dating from the 5th to 8th century. Before the middle of the 5th century, these grave fields were relatively small, often containing fewer than five graves, probably corresponding to a single homestead or family. The sparsity of graves in the early period may suggest partialcremation. In the mid- to late 5th century, burial customs appeared to change with the introduction of larger row-grave fields.
Grave fields are often arranged on elevated ground outside settlements. The arrangement of graves is often east to west — the head of the body placed on the western end, looking east.[1]
Until the beginning of the 6th century, these row graves were often accompanied by more prestigious single graves including preciousgrave goods. Quast (1997) assumes that the 5th-century change in burial practice was due to a renewed influx ofElbe Germanic settlers (Danube Swabians displaced byGothic migration).
Male graves from this period often include weapons — in the mid-5th century typically aFrancisca axe, besidesspathas andseaxes. In contrast, female graves often include jewellery, such as bracelets, earrings andfibulae.
Large Alemannic row grave fields have been excavated atLauchheim,Gammertingen,Weingarten, andRavensburg, all inSwabia; the one in Ravensburg includes over 1,000 graves dating to between 50 and 710. The field inSasbach includes over 2,000 graves.Mengen has over 1,000 graves.
Alemannic graves appear south of the Rhine, in theSwiss Plateau, from the 6th century. The Alemannic colonization of the Swiss plateau apparently took place in theBasel area, since the number of graves there declined simultaneously. The significant influx of Alemannic settlers to the Swiss plateau began only in the 7th century. Grave fields from this period include one atElgg-Ettenbühl nearWinterthur; with 340 graves, stands as the largest field south of theHigh Rhine.
Christianization of the Alemanni during the 7th century brought about the end of grave field traditions. The dead from this period were buried ingraveyards near churches. Prestigious graves of local nobility appear to have resisted the Christianization of burial customs into the 8th century, possibly until the 786 decree ofCharlemagne outlawing pagan burial.
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