A grave field is a prehistoric cemetery, typically of Bronze Age and Iron Age Europe.
Grave fields are distinguished from necropoleis by the former's lack of above-ground structures, buildings, or grave markers.
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Grave fields can be classified by type of burial custom:
Alemannic grave fields date to the fifth to eighth century. Before the middle of the fifth century, grave fields are small, often including less than five graves, probably corresponding to a single homestead or family. The sparsity of graves in the early period may suggest partial cremation. In the mid- to late fifth century, burial customs appear to change, with the introduction of larger row-grave fields.
Grave fields are often arranged on elevated ground outside settlements. The arrangement of graves is often east to west — the head of the body placed on the western end, looking east.[1]
Until the beginning of the sixth century, these row graves are accompanied by more prestigious single graves including precious grave goods. Quast (1997) assumes that the fifth-century change in burial practice was due to a renewed influx of Elbe Germanic settlers (Danube Swabians displaced by Gothic migration).
Male graves often include weapons — in the mid-fifth century typically a Francisca axe, besides spathas and seaxes. Female graves often include jewellery, such as bracelets, ear-rings and Fibula (brooch).
Large Alemannic row grave fields have been excavated at Lauchheim, Gammertingen, Weingarten, Ravensburg, all in Swabia, the one in Ravensburg including over 1,000 graves dating to between AD 450 and 710. The field in Sasbach includes over 2,000 graves. Mengen has over 1,000 graves.
Alemannic graves appear south of the Rhine, in the Swiss Plateau, from the 500s. Alemannic colonization of the Swiss plateau apparently took place from the Basel area, since the number of graves there declines simultaneously. Significant influx of Alemannic settlers to the Swiss plateau begins only in the 7th century. Grave fields from this period include one at Elgg-Ettenbühl near Winterthur; with 340 graves it is the largest field south of the High Rhine.
Christianization of the Alemanni during the 7th century brings about the end of the grave field traditions. The dead from this period were buried in graveyards near churches. Prestigious graves of local nobility appears to have resisted the Christianization of burial customs into the eighth century, possibly until the 786 decree of Charlemagne outlawing pagan burial.