Archaeological culture · c. 2800–1800 BCE (varies by region)
Bell Beaker culture
The Bell Beaker culture is named after the inverted-bell-shaped cups found in its graves across western and central Europe, from Portugal to Hungary and from Sicily to Scotland. It appears as early as 2800 BCE and lasted until about 1800 BCE in Britain but only to about 2300 BCE in central Europe.
Beaker graves often hold copper daggers, archery gear and gold ornaments. Ancient DNA shows a large population turnover in parts of western Europe, including Britain, at this time.
See Bell Beaker culture on the map in 2700 BCE
- On the map
- 2800–1800 BCE
How we know
No writing existed; it is recognised by its bell-shaped drinking cups and dated by radiocarbon, and whether it was a people or a shared fashion is debated.