Franzhausen#
Franzhausen, Lower Austria, part of the municipality of Nussdorf ob der Traisen, largest necropolis in Europe, dating back to the early Bonze Age with two graveyards and over 2,100 graves (2300/2200-1600 B.C.). The graves contain numerous burial objects (jewellery, pieces of traditional costumes, bronze weapons). A cremation burial ground dating from the Urnfield Culture of the late Bronze Age (1250-800/750 B.C.) with over 400 graves and more than 2,000 ceramic vessels as well as pieces of traditional clothing and bronze jewellery has been excavated. Despite recent grave looting, the remaining bronze objects testify to the wealth of the former inhabitants of the area. A museum of ancient history is located in Nussdorf ob der Traisen.
Literature#
Niederoesterreichisches. Landesmuseum/Lower Austrian Provincial Museum (ed.), Mensch und Kultur der Bronzezeit. Franzhausen I, Gemeinde Nussdorf ob der Traisen, Niederoesterreich, Mitteleuropas groesstes fruehbronzezeitliches Hockergraeberfeld, 1988; J.-W. Neugebauer, Archaeologie in Niederoesterreich, St. Poelten und das Traisental, 1993.