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The Laugen-Melaun culture (from German Laugen-Melaun-Kultur) or Luco culture (in Italian) developed between the late Bronze Age and the early Iron Age in the Alps, between Trentino, South Tyrol, East Tyrol, and in the Engadin.
| Geographical range | North Italy, Austria, Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Period | Bronze Age, Iron Age |
| Dates | c. 1350 BC - 500 BC |
| Preceded by | Urnfield culture, Facies of the pile dwellings and of the dammed settlements |
| Followed by | Fritzens-Sanzeno culture |
The term, coined in 1927 by Gero von Merhart, initially included only Melaun (also Mellaun), a village near Brixen. The pitcher of Laugen, found at Villanders and preserved at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, is a typical example of this 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.
Also at Villanders it was found a place used for votive burnings (Opferplatz) remained in use for centuries until the Iron Age.
Bibliography edit
- Walter Leitner, Eppan - St. Pauls, eine Siedlung der späten Bronzezeit - ein Beitrag zur inneralpinen Laugen/Melaun-Kultur, 2 voll., Innsbruck, 1987.
- Günther Niederwanger, Ein Laugener Brandopferplatz am Schwarzsee auf dem Seeberg im Sarntal, in «Der Schlern», 64, 1990, pp. 371–397.