Urnfield
/ˈɜːrn.fiːld/noun
An archaeological cemetery or culture characterized by cremation burials placed in urns, especially in Late Bronze Age Europe.
Did you know?The Urnfield culture spread cremation burial practices across much of Europe during the Late Bronze Age, roughly 1300–800 BCE.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁erh₂-
“A proposed ancient root connected with vessels or containers; the deeper origin of Latin urna is uncertain.”
Classical Latin
Latin
urna
“A vessel, especially a jar or container used for water, ashes, or drawing lots.”
Old English
Old English
feld
“Open country, plain, or tract of land; ancestor of modern field.”
Middle English
English
urne
“A vessel for holding ashes, borrowed through Latin and French.”
Modern English
English
urnfield
“A field or cemetery containing cremation urn burials; also the name of a Late Bronze Age archaeological culture.”