Includes bibliographical references.

This volume provides a study of the burial mound phenomenon which emerged in large parts of Europe during the Copper and Bronze Ages, with a major focus on the Mediterranean and eastern European regions. 51papers are grouped into sections dealing with the symbolism of burial mounds, the relationship between landscapes, landmarks and culturalidentity, burial customs as rituals and a new look at theories on diffusionism. They define the natural and cultural contexts in which tumulus burial architecture first appeared and attempt to explain the ideological, social and ritual meaning of burial mounds as community monuments. Most contributions include new evidence from excavations and surface surveys, some provide a re-examination of old data, including skeletal remains. The subjects discussed concern not only funerary practices and beliefs but also further archaeological issues such as landscapes and land use, early exploitation of metal resources, the organization of long-distance exchange, interaction networks, and the emergence of complexity in human societies.