Pages: 268-298

This study assesses the importance of warriorhood in the Copper Age of Central Europe, particularly focusing on the Corded Ware culture of the early 3rd millennium BC. The central question is whether warrior institutions existed, and if they did, what their social significance and position was in societies of the past. While we cannot assume that warriors have always been present in any society, the ethno-historical evidence allows us to say – when they are present –warriors organize in a limited number of ways. The point of departure for this archaeological study is therefore a non-comprehensive sociological analysis of warriors that highlights the issues of identification and institutionalization. This approach is required in order to provide a tool that can dialog with archaeological data.