Beakers, which give their name to the Beaker Culture, are a distinctive form of pottery vessel in the shape of an upside-down bell, decorated with bands of corded patterns, which were widely used in western and central Europe from around 2500 BC.
They were drinking vessels: residues from some indicate they were used for mead or beer.
They were found in burials along with a particular range of other grave goods which included copper daggers, archery equipment and V-perforated jet buttons. The spread of beakers was associated in many parts of Europe with the introduction of copper metallurgy.
Opinions are divided as to the mechanism of this spread. Some scholars believe it reflects the migration of small groups of 'Beaker people' across Europe. Others see Beakers as a fashion: one of a series of prestige goods that were used to indicate status in life and death.
Beakers were used to drink alcoholic drinks and their presence in only certain graves is indicative of social differentiation based on the restricted access to the consumption of such beverages or at least to possession of the fashionable vessels for drinking them.
