Bemerkungen zu den Funde der Przeworsk-Kultur in Mitteldeutschland in der jüngeren vorrömischen Eisenzeit

In the Younger Pre-Roman Period the territory of Central Germany was occupied by Jastorf culture. Within this cultural milieu some elements occur typical of areas which are located on the eastern bank of Odra river, that is on the territory of Przeworsk culture. It concerns both material culture and behaviours connected with burial custom. Studies on some specific forms of pottery (cups of TD I) allow to distinguish two regions of Central Germany, which display different reception models of Przeworsk culture traits. Of the first one (Unstrut and Sale region) presence of vessels identical to those known from the area of Przeworsk culture is typical. Within the second zone (central Elbe region and Gubin group) the specimens occur which are usually larger then original cups of type TD I. Second part of the paper is devoted to explanation of this phenomenon. Materials coming from four cemeteries represented both the Jastorf and Przeworsk culture were here the subject of more detailed analysis. It allows to draw the conclusion that observed change in size of TD I cups may be considered as a result of adaptation to the specific norms of burial custom. While in the area of Przeworsk culture cups usually served as a gift, being deposited within the burial pit, in the case of Jastorf culture they were used as container for charred bones. Because their capacity had to be fitted to the volume of remains deposited in them, the positive correlation between age of deceased and the size of cups can be observed.