Zoomorphic stone maces and axes in the forest zone of north-eastern Europe - Manifestations of interaction between hunter-gatherers and cattle herding groups in the 3rd millennium BC

Abstract

<p> <span>More than 50 animal-headed stone weapons have been found in the forest zone of north-</span><span> </span><span>eastern</span><br><span>Europe. These diverse items consist of maces and axes and they represent a variety of animal</span><br><span>species, of which brown bear and Eurasian elk are the most common. In this article, we pres</span><span>-</span><br><span>ent an up-to-date overview of these finds and discuss their dating and cultural background. We</span><br><span>argue that the animal-headed stone weapons were prestige items that were introduced to the</span><br><span>northern forest zone by cattle herding groups in the 3rd millennium BC. We interpret the items</span><br><span>as manifestations of a new set of pastoralist beliefs, in which masculinity and the bear probably</span><br><span>played a central part.</span> <br></p>