Artenacian culture facts for kids
The Artenacian culture was an ancient group of people who lived in what is now western France a very long time ago. They appeared around 2400 BC, during a time called the Copper Age. This culture is named after a place called Artenac in Charente, where archaeologists found many clues about them.
Scientists believe the Artenacian culture began as a response to new groups of people, sometimes called Danubian peoples, moving into western France.
Who Were the Artenacians?
The Artenacian people were known for their excellent skills with bows and arrows. Archaeologists have found many arrow points from their time, which suggests they were very good at archery. Because of this, they are often called a "culture of bowmen."
Living in the Copper Age
The Artenacians were also a big part of the megalithic culture of the Copper Age. "Megalithic" means "made of large stones." These people built impressive structures using huge stones, like tombs and monuments. This shows they had organized communities and shared beliefs.
Spreading Across France
Over time, the Artenacian culture became very strong and spread throughout western France. They created a clear cultural boundary with the Danubian culture near the Rhine river. This boundary stayed in place for about a thousand years! This shows how stable and influential the Artenacian people were in their region.
Many historians and archaeologists believe that the Artenacian peoples were the ancestors of the historical Aquitani. The Aquitani were a group of people who lived in southwestern France and northern Spain in ancient times.
Gallery
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Remains of a large building at Challignac
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Challignac settlement, central enclosure
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